Rain Fury In Maharashtra: Army Deployed In Pune Amid 4 Deaths, 11 Flights Cancelled From Mumbai

Mumbai: As heavy rain continued to pound several parts of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Pune, Thane and Palghar, waterlogging threw life of gear causing traffic snarls and disruption in flight and train operations.

A total of 11 flights were cancelled and 10 diverted from Mumbai airport due to rainfall in the city. Flights were diverted to Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, Indore and Mopa, news agency ANI reported.

Amid incessant rain, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai.

Several areas of Mumbai recorded more than 100 mm of rainfall between 4 am and 1 pm on Thursday, officials said. Malpa Dongri area in Andheri recorded the highest rainfall of 157 mm during this period, followed by Paspoli in Powai receiving 155 mm and Dindoshi receiving 154 mm rainfall.

Several residential areas in Pune’s Pimpri-Chinchwad have been flooded while four people died in rain-related incidents in the district. Pune’s District Magistrate (DM) Suhas Divsae also called in army personnel to help the local administration to speed up the relief operations.

Meanwhile, several contingents of the Indian Army have been roped in to evacuate affected people and shift them to safer locations in Pune. Around 400 people have been evacuated so far.

Two columns of the Army were deployed in the Sinhagad Road area, which was severely affected by flooding, India Today reported quoting officials.

Besides, teams of the NDRF, fire brigade as well as the district and city disaster management cells were pressed into service to carry out relief operations.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has said that if the need arises, the rain-hit people will be airlifted to Pune, where incessant downpour has inundated residential colonies and houses in low-lying areas.

“If the need arises, we have told them to airlift people. There is no need to worry,” the Chief Minister said.

Several airlines have also issued an advisory, informing passengers that some of their flights to Mumbai had been delayed and diverted due to heavy rainfall.

“Heavy rains in Mumbai are affecting flight operations and resulting in cancellation and diversion of some of our flights. Air India is offering full refunds or a one-time complimentary rescheduling for bookings confirmed for travel on 25th July 2024,” Air India said in a post on X.