Record rains lash Mumbai region, 13 dead as Maharashtra put on red alert

Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan on Monday said that Mumbai, Palghar and Raigad have received record-breaking rain with 13 people losing their lives in the last three to four days, according to PTI. The minister made the statement before the Upper House was adjourned for the day. This comes at a time as heavy to extremely heavy rainfall continues to lash parts of Maharashtra, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a 'red alert' for Mumbai and adjoining areas. Earlier in the day, heavy rainfall caused flooding and landslides in some areas of the state.

Six persons lost their lives after a chawl collapsed in Mumbai's Mankhurd area following heavy rains, while two others died in tree collapse incidents in Mumbai over the last two days. In another incident, an 11-year-old boy was killed after a tree uprooted and fell onto a moving school bus on June 30. IMD scientist Bikram Singh said many places in Mumbai received heavy to very heavy rainfall, while isolated places and ghat regions witnessed extremely heavy rain.

"Many places in Mumbai have received heavy to very heavy rains, with extremely heavy rains in isolated places and over ghat regions. Pune district, Raigad and Palghar have also received extremely heavy rains. Lonavala has received the highest rainfall today at 670 mm," he told ANI. "For the next 24 to 48 hours, we are again keeping a red warning for Raigad, ghat region of Pune district, Nashik and Palghar. The next 48 hours for these districts is crucial. Over the Konkan region, an orange alert is in place," Singh added.

During the monsoon session, Maharashtra legislative council was adjourned for the day due to heavy rains in Mumbai. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told the House that the recent incidents, including wall collapses and landslides, reflected the impact of extreme weather conditions in the state and not a lack of preparedness. "The entire disaster management machinery, municipal corporations and other agencies are on the ground. We are in alert mode," he said.

The chief minister announced that the government will make a detailed statement on the rain-related incidents, the government's response, preventive measures and preparedness in the House on Tuesday, whil refraining from giving an incomplete account while the situation was still evolving. On average, 800 trees fall during the monsoon, but on Sunday alone, 350 trees fell, CM Fadnavis pointed out. "The entire administration is in alert mode. We are reviewing the situation across Maharashtra. If there are any shortcomings, the government will address them immediately. The machinery will not fall short anywhere," he said.