Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 28 (IANS) Heavy rains continued to lash Mumbai Sunday disrupting air, rail and road traffic and stranding commuters. More rain is likely in the next two days, officials said.
According to weather department officials, Colaba (south Mumbai) recorded 135.6 mm of rain, while Santa Xruz (north Mumbai) recorded rainfall of 75.3 mm till 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Air and rail traffic was hit as the landing of two flights at the Mumbai international airport had to be delayed due to poor visibility and trains were running late by 15-20 minutes, officials said.
Flight operations at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International (CSIA) were partially affected due to persistent rain.
"Due to persistent rain and visibility dropping drastically below 450 meters, flight operations at CSIA were suspended twice between 10.10 a.m. and 10.20 a.m. and 10.30 a.m. and 10.39 a.m. - for nearly 20 minutes," a CSIA official said.
This resulted in a go-around of two flights which landed safely later.
All operations have been restored to normal presently.
Continuous rain in also left several low-lying areas water-logged and traffic snarls on the two main Express highways Sunday. Low-lying areas like Hindmata, Parel, Dadar and western suburbs were submerged.
Civic authorities, however, said these are normal rain hitches and that there is no reason to panic. Over 10 incidents of tree collapse and around four incidents of building wall collapse were reported across the city. There was no loss of life reported.
According to weather department officials the city is likely to see continuous rain in parts of city and suburbs and heavy to heavy rain, accompanied by strong gusty winds, in some areas Monday and Tuesday.
"A low pressure area is likely to form over Orissa due to upper air cyclonic circulation. The widespread rain is a result of the general strengthening of the westerly winds," an official said.
In other parts of Maharashtra like Konkan, Goa, central Maharashtra and Marathwada regions, heavy rainfall is likely at a few places, while heavy to very heavy rainfall at is also expected at some isolated places Monday.