Unprecedented rains in Mumbai in last 24 hours: civic chief

Rain-battered Mumbai braced for more heavy rains and high tide in the sea and the City's Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta today advised schools to remain closed tomorrow.
He said that Mumbai has received 283 mm rains in the last 24 hours and this is "unprecedented".
"The city has experienced unprecedented rainfall in the last 24 hours, more than that the city usually receives in 10 days. Mumbai witnessed 283 mm of rain in 24 hours" Mehta told reporters here today.
"Of the total annual average rainfall Mumbai experiences, 10 percent of it has been received in 24 hours, which usually takes 10 days," he added.

Mehta said IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours and thus it is advisable that all schools in the city remain shut tomorrow as well.
The civic chief said that the today's high tide witnessed in the city was of more than 3 meters and Mumbai is likely to witness high tides of more than 4 meters, one at about 2 AM and another at about 3:10 PM tomorrow.

"The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has installed 262 pumps to take out water from the streets, out of which 140 are working continuously. Also, due to all the three railway lines (Western, Central and Harbour) being shut, we have ensured that BEST buses divert their routes so that commuters are not hassled. We have diverted a total of 212 bus routes," he added.

Mehta said that there are 13 places in the city where traffic had to be diverted due to water-logging.
Hailing work done by the civic body to battle incessant rains, Mehta said that all, including the officials and the workers have strived hard to minimise the effects of rains on the city.
"Since there is heavy rainfall along with a high tide expected tomorrow, people should stay away from the seas and ensure that they do not walk on the promenade. Also, before leaving their homes, people should make sure that the route they plan to take is safe for travel," he added.