BMC seeks probe into fake WhatsApp message about cyclone

The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation on Wednesday sought police help to investigate and track down a WhatsApp message circulating over the past few days and warning of a major cyclonic storm likely to hit Mumbai.

"The message, of a cyclone expected to hit Mumbai over the city has created a panic among the people of the city...The message has even claimed that a situation similar to the Mumbai floods of July 26, 2005 could develop," the BMC said in a statement.

Taking serious note of the development, the BMC' Disaster Cell chief Sanjay Deshmukh has lodged a formal complaint with the Joint Police Commissioner (L&O) Deven Bharti and sought strict action against the miscreants responsible for the fake message which went viral.

The message, received on individual numbers and on WhatsApp groups earlier this week, grimly warned of heavy and very heavy rains lashing Mumbai creating a situation like the 2005 Mumbai floods.

It even advised people to stock up food stuffs, milk and candles to ward off possible shortages during the probable natural calamity.

The BMC pointed out that during last Friday's heavy rains, Mumbaikars had to undergo immense hardships and such a message had created alarm in the minds of the people.

Mumbai has been ravaged with intermittent rains, with spells of heavy to very heavy showers over the past week with forecast of similar weather conditions over the next couple of days.