3 dead, 5 injured as heavy rains lash Mumbai

Three persons were killed and five injured in rain-related incidents on Friday in Mumbai, which was lashed by the first spell of heavy rains this monsoon that marked its most delayed arrival in the city in 45 years, officials said.

Mumbaikars woke up to heavy rains, ending a long dry spell, but a few hours of incessant showers left the financial capital struggling with the familiar monsoon woes of waterlogging, delayed trains, traffic jams and choked drains.

Three persons died of electric shocks, while two others were injured in two separate incidents in the western suburbs, a spokesperson of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

According to the civic official, the deceased were identified as Kashima Yudiyar (60), a resident of Andheri (East), Rajendra Yadav (60) and Sanjay Yadav (24) -- both from Goregaon (East).

Two others suffered injuries in the Goregaon incident and were admitted to a local hospital, he said.

The police were inquiring into the Goregaon electrocution incident, he added.

Three persons were injured when a portion of a wall collapsed in Dadar (East), he said, adding that they were admitted to the civic-run KEM Hospital.

Waterlogging was reported from areas like Dadar, Wadala, Worli, Kurla, Chembur, Bandra, Andheri, Kandivili, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup, among others.

Responding to the reports of waterlogging, the BMC said pumping out water will take time because of high tide in the Arabian Sea.

"Hello, Mumbai! The island city and suburbs have received 33 mm and 95 mm rainfall respectively. While we're on our toes, it may take some time to pump out all water from waterlogged areas owing to neap tide. Hopefully, all should be well by late evening," the civic body said in a tweet.

High tide is a natural phenomenon during which the sea level rises and if the timings of rain and high tide coincide, then waterlogging aggravates in Mumbai.

The BMC appealed to the citizens to avoid driving in the waterlogged areas.

"We request all citizens to not drive into water logged areas till the water is pumped out. We understand you may get slightly delayed but let's not compromise on safety," the civic body said in another tweet.

Traffic snarls were reported from several parts of the metropolis and the residents took to social media to narrate their sufferings.

"The entire city is dug up. Blame your bad maintenance and infrastructure management...Don't blame the rains....It's just one day...The common man has to suffer," a woman tweeted.

Deepak Malhar, a resident of Bhandup, rued that nothing had changed this year too.

"Water-logged roads, choked drains, traffic snarls, delayed trains. This is another year, another monsoon but same flooded roads, same traffic woes and same hardships. Our city is unable to withstand even a mild bout of rainfall," he said in a tweet.

More rains have been forecast in the next 24 hours.

Deputy Director General (Meteorology), IMD-Mumbai, K S Hosalikar tweeted, "Latest satellite indicate enhanced rainfall activity will sustain over west coast including Mumbai, Thane and around. @CPMumbaiPolice, @MCGM_BMC."
"Glad to see it's finally raining in Mumbai. Much desired considering the depleted water levels in our dams and lakes. Hope we have a great monsoon this year in Maharashtra and the rest of India."