Amidst heavy rains in Mumbai, the BMC declared an emergency holiday for schools and colleges in the city. The decision was made to ensure the safety of students after a "red alert" was issued by the India Meteorological Department predicting extremely heavy rainfall. The civic body also urged citizens to only step out if necessary and to check weather updates and plan accordingly. Heavy rains have caused chaos in the city, with local trains stopping and traffic crawling. Stay updated on the latest business news and stock market updates with Zee Business.
Mumbai Braces for Torrential Rains: BMC Declares School Holiday, Issues Safety Advisories
Background
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, leading to a "red alert" warning. The city has a long history of severe flooding during monsoon season, which can cause significant damage to infrastructure, property, and livelihoods.
BMC Declares Emergency Holiday
In response to the impending weather conditions, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared an emergency holiday for all schools and colleges in the city. The decision aims to ensure the safety of students during the heavy downpour.
Safety Advisories
The BMC has urged citizens to exercise caution and take the following precautions:
Current Situation
Heavy rains have already begun to lash Mumbai, causing widespread chaos. Local train services have been suspended due to waterlogging on tracks. Traffic is crawling in several areas, leading to long delays and inconvenience.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1: What is the reason for the heavy rains in Mumbai? A1: The monsoon season has brought heavy rainfall to the city, and the IMD has issued a "red alert" predicting extremely heavy rainfall.
Q2: Why has the BMC declared an emergency holiday for schools and colleges? A2: The BMC has prioritized the safety of students by declaring a holiday during the heavy rains to prevent any potential danger or inconvenience caused by flooding.
Q3: Are there any flood-prone areas in Mumbai that I should avoid? A3: Yes, there are several flood-prone areas in Mumbai, including Sion, Kurla, Dadar, Andheri, and Bandra. Avoid these areas during heavy rainfall.
Q4: What should I do if I encounter a flooded area? A4: Stay away from flooded areas, do not attempt to cross them by foot or vehicle. If you must cross, use a designated bridge or elevated footpath.
Q5: Where can I find real-time weather updates? A5: You can find real-time weather updates on the IMD website, weather apps, and local news channels.
At least six people were killed and 40 others injured in a tragic stampede at the famous Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple in Tirupati, India. The incident happened during the rush for tickets to the annual Vaikunta Dwara Darshanam, which is known to attract a massive crowd every year. The injured are receiving treatment and leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed their condolences and are closely monitoring the situation.
While addressing a press conference in Paris, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken rejected President Trump's idea of seizing Greenland as "not a good one" and "not going to happen." He reiterated the Biden administration's belief in the strength of alliances, stating that working closely with allies is more effective than alienating them. France's Foreign Minister also downplayed the possibility of US forces being deployed against Denmark, but cautioned about a return to the "law of the strongest" in the international arena. Trump's nominee for national security adviser, Congressman Mike Waltz, has emphasized the importance of securing Greenland for US national security, but both Denmark and Greenland have consistently rejected any notion of the island being for sale.
A stampede at Tirupati's Vaikuntha Dwara Darshan ticketing center left four devotees dead and several injured. Despite being in the vicinity of a major religious site, the incident highlights the lack of effective crowd management and safety protocols. Multiple investigations have been launched into the tragedy, with promises of compensation and structural reform to avoid future incidents.
As Donald Trump's threat to buy Greenland stirs global controversy, Denmark's foreign minister reaffirms their recognition of Greenland's autonomy and dismisses any possibility of the island becoming a US state. However, amid increased US interest in the Arctic region, Trump's willingness to use force or economic measures to acquire Greenland has prompted concerns from European allies. As talks between Greenland's leader and the Danish king take place, there is a growing focus on the island's push for independence and allegations of colonial-era mistreatment.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has strongly stated that the European Union will not tolerate any nation attacking its sovereign borders, in response to US President-elect Donald Trump's comments about his intentions to take control of Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. Barrot expressed doubts about the possibility of the US actually invading Greenland, but urged the EU to be vigilant and strengthen its position. Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., recently made a private visit to Greenland, shortly after his father's controversial comments. However, Greenland's government has made it clear that the territory is not for sale and its future will be determined by Greenlanders alone.
In a surprising statement, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he was considering using economic force to make Canada the 51st state. The remarks have sparked mixed reactions from Albertans, with some expressing fear and others dismissing it as a joke. Trump also proposed imposing tariffs and cutting off trade agreements with Canada, which has further escalated tensions between the two countries.
A massive 7.1 magnitude earthquake hits Tibet near the Nepal border this morning, resulting in the death of 126 people and severe damages to buildings in the region. The tremors were felt in several parts of India, including Bihar, Delhi-NCR, Assam, and West Bengal. The National Center for Seismology has reported several subsequent earthquakes in the same location, with the strongest measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale. The high-altitude area of Dingri County on Mount Everest has faced building collapses amidst freezing temperatures.
In a series of social media posts, President-elect Donald Trump joked about buying Canada as part of the United States after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. However, this banter comes after Trump previously threatened to impose tariffs on all goods from Canada and Mexico, which would violate the recently enacted USMCA. Experts warn that imposing tariffs on Canada, one of the US' largest trading partners, could have damaging effects on the Canadian economy and lead to a strained relationship between the two countries. While some have dismissed Trump's remarks as jokes, others see it as a disrespectful insult to Canada.
As her time as vice president draws to a close, Kamala Harris will embark on a four-day trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany. The trip, which will take place from Jan. 13 to Jan. 17, provides one final opportunity for Harris to address key foreign policy challenges before the transition of power to Donald Trump. Together with her husband, Doug Emhoff, Harris will visit U.S. servicemembers stationed at all three of the countries she plans to visit. As Harris looks to the future, her decision to conclude her term with a global trip raises questions about her potential next steps and continued involvement in international affairs.
As Donald Trump Jr. visited Greenland, the president-elect himself hinted at potentially using military force or economic coercion to acquire the mineral-rich territory. Despite backlash from Danish officials and Greenland’s government, Trump supporters are enthusiastic about the prospect of “Make Greenland Great Again." But with its strategic location and Indigenous population, will such a controversial move be allowed? Only time will tell.