Mumbai rain havoc or any big danger? Red alert, landslide, 10 deaths, Mumbai-Pune rail closed, Mumbai-Pune Expressway halted, helpline issued – and SDMA advises work from home. Will the situation worsen?
Mumbai: When the heavenly calamity crosses the limits, even the luxurious cities start looking helpless. The torrential rains that have been continuing for the last three days in Mumbai and its surrounding areas have now taken a very scary form. Within just a few days, at least 10 innocent lives have been lost in different accidents. The debris sliding from the mountains has completely cut off the two big lifelines of Mumbai and Pune, while the dilapidated buildings inside the city are collapsing like a deck of cards. The latest ‘red alert’ issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has further increased the panic for the coming few hours.
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That scream of Janata Nagar: When 5 children got buried in the debris of a three-storey chawl
The most painful and hair-raising scene of this entire monsoon tragedy was seen in Janta Nagar area of Mankhurd on Sunday night. A large part of a three-storey chawl suddenly collapsed due to the pressure of continuous heavy rain in the dark of night. This accident was so unexpected that no one even got a chance to recover.
Painful report from the hospital: The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mumbai Fire Brigade and the local administration began rescue operations by digging through the mountains of debris. So far, six bodies have been recovered from the debris, which include a helpless woman and five innocent children. Doctors at Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar declared him dead. Seeing the seriousness of the accident, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, MLA Abu Asim Azmi and Rukhsana Siddiqui immediately reached the hospital and consoled the victim’s families. Apart from this, two people died due to falling trees, while one person died in an open manhole and another child lost his life due to heavy rains in Chembur in the last two days.
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Major crisis in Bhor Ghat: 16 trains canceled and ‘ultimate silence’ on the expressway
Mumbai’s devastation is not limited to the city limits. A massive landslide suddenly occurred near Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin, called the South-East Ghats section, between Karjat and Lonavala. The debris and huge rocks falling from the mountains derailed the entire traffic of the Central Railway.
Due to this, 16 important trains scheduled for Monday had to be completely cancelled, which include the pride of Mumbai, ‘Pune-CSMT Deccan Queen’ and ‘Singhgarh Express’. At the same time, the route of 9 other trains is being changed and they are being sent through the long routes of Daund-Manmad-Igatpuri-Kalyan. On the other hand, Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has completely closed both the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old Mumbai-Pune Highway till further orders due to security reasons.
10 most important things related to this tragedy: Know every detail which is important for you
1. Debris chaos in Mankhurd: Six deaths in the same area
At least 10 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Mumbai within a week. The biggest tragedy occurred on Sunday night in Janta Nagar area of Mankhurd, where six people died after part of a three-storey chawl collapsed. The dead include five children and a woman. One person has also been seriously injured in this accident, who is undergoing treatment in the hospital.
2. Mourning spread in hospitals: Doctors declared him dead
After the accident, the victims were immediately taken to Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Shatabdi Hospital in Govandi and Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar. According to doctors, a woman, three girls and a boy were brought dead to Shatabdi Hospital, while another boy was declared dead at Rajawadi Hospital.
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3. Public representatives came to console: Mayor visited
As soon as the news of this horrific accident was received, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde visited Shatabdi Hospital. He reached there and met the bereaved families and consoled them. During this time, MLAs Abu Asim Azmi and Rukhsana Siddiqui were also present with him, who took stock of the situation.
4. Major operation at midnight: Rescue teams remained on the spot
As soon as information about the collapse of the chawl was received, the rescue operation was started on a war footing. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Mumbai Fire Brigade, local police and BMC personnel reached the spot without wasting any time and started removing the debris and evacuating people.
5. Meteorological Department’s biggest warning: ‘Red Alert’ issued
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a dangerous ‘red alert’ for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The Meteorological Department has warned that there will be extremely heavy rains along with strong winds in Mumbai and surrounding areas on Monday, which may lead to flood-like situation in low-lying areas.
6. Lockdown in four districts: Schools-colleges closed as a precautionary measure
In view of the terrible weather conditions and red alert, the administration has taken strict steps for the safety of the students. Complete closure of all schools and colleges has been ordered in Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Palghar districts on Monday. Senior secondary schools and junior colleges in Thane are also included in the scope of this bandh.
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7. Sliding of mountains: Landslide on Mumbai-Pune rail route.
Heavy and incessant rains led to a massive landslide in the South-East Ghats section near Thakurwadi and Monkey Hill Loop Cabin between Karjat and Lonavala. After heavy debris and rocks fell on the tracks, Central Railway had to completely stop the operation of trains on this route.
8. Double blow to passengers: 16 trains cancelled, route of 9 changed
Due to disruption of railway tracks, Central Railway completely canceled 16 important trains running on Monday. Major trains to be canceled include Pune-CSMT Deccan Queen and Sinhagarh Express. Apart from this, for the convenience of the passengers, the route of 9 trains was changed and they were sent via Daund-Manmad-Igatpuri-Kalyan.
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9. Highway guarded: Expressway closed from both sides
Difficulties for those traveling by road also increased as MSRDC completely stopped traffic on Pune-Mumbai Expressway and Old Mumbai-Pune Highway in view of incessant rains and threat of landslides. Authorities have closed roads from both sides and have appealed to people not to take this route until the rescue operation is completed.
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10. Passengers in trouble: Railways issued emergency helpline numbers
Central Railway has immediately activated four special helpline numbers to provide real-time updates to stranded and distressed passengers at stations. Through these numbers, passengers can get accurate information about train delays, cancellations and alternative travel arrangements:
- Csmt: 022-22694040
- Thane: 9321336747
- Lonavala: 8356854238
- Dadar: 9136452387
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Strict instructions to private companies: Official advice to give ‘work from home’
In view of this unprecedented crisis, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has issued special and very strict instructions for Mumbai. Due to heavy waterlogging on the roads and halt of public transport, SDMA has advised all private offices to immediately allow their employees to ‘work from home’ wherever possible so that congestion and accidents on the roads can be avoided. Along with this, the rules for government departments have also been changed and it has been ordered that all non-essential government offices will be opened only for half a day on Monday. The administration is fully prepared at this time and is only appealing to the people to stay safe inside their homes.