The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced the closure of all schools and colleges in Mumbai for Thursday, September 26, due to the Red Alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy rains. This decision was made in consideration of the safety of students, as the city was hit by heavy showers and disrupted essential services. Mumbaikars are advised by the BMC to stay indoors unless necessary.
As the Assembly polls approach, Uddhav Thackeray of Shiv Sena UBT has urged his alliance partners to name a CM candidate and has promised to support their choice. IMD predicts light rain and thunderstorms in Mumbai with temperatures ranging between 33°C and 26°C. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar announces that Maharashtra and Haryana Assembly elections will be held together, while NCP (SP) President Sharad Pawar criticizes the Centre for not respecting the post of Leader of Opposition. Additionally, two people have been killed and three others injured in a truck collision on a highway in Madhya Pradesh.
Nine children tragically died and two were injured after a wall collapsed on them during a religious event in Madhya Pradesh's Sagar district. The incident occurred due to heavy rain in Shahpur village, highlighting the dangers of dilapidated buildings. The Chief Minister has directed authorities to provide proper treatment for the injured children and announced financial assistance for the families of the victims. This comes just one day after a similar incident in Rewa, underscoring the urgent need for proper infrastructure maintenance in India's bustling cities. Additionally, check out DW's "Megacity Mindset" series, featuring inspiring individuals from Mumbai like Bollywood star Abhishek Banerjee, who shares his insights into thriving in this competitive metropolis.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, causing traffic congestions and disruptions in public travel. Incessant rain has wreaked havoc in several parts of Maharashtra, leading to multiple deaths, injuries, and evacuation efforts. Meanwhile, heavy rain is also battering Pune city, with a red alert issued for the next few days and the closure of schools and colleges in the affected areas.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Mumbai and neighbouring areas as torrential downpours continue to lash the region. Over 100 mm of rainfall has caused severe flooding, leading to road closures, delayed train services, and the shut down of schools and colleges. The NDRF has deployed teams in the affected areas, while the Central Railway has announced slower train speeds due to heavy rains.
The Supreme Court, in response to multiple petitions, has asked for a status report from the CBI and complete disclosure from the National Testing Agency regarding the reported paper leak in the NEET-UG 2024 examination. This comes as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visits a relief camp in Manipur and heavy rain hits Mumbai and its suburbs.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde took charge of the situation in Mumbai, as the city faced heavy rains which caused floods and disrupted transport services. With some areas receiving more than 300 mm of rain in just six hours, Shinde chaired a meeting and visited the control room of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to review the situation. He was accompanied by other top officials, including state minister Anil Patil and Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. The BMC appealed to citizens to not believe in rumours and contact their control numbers for emergency help.
As the monsoon season progresses, Mumbai is experiencing a concerning trend of low rainfall leading to declining water levels in the city's seven reservoirs. Currently, the water stock stands at just 14.52%, with some reservoirs actually running completely dry. The situation has been exacerbated by heavy rain elsewhere in the country, leading to flooding in the northeast but failing to address Mumbai's water needs.
Sujata Saunik, a senior IAS officer from the 1987 batch, has taken over as Maharashtra's Chief Secretary, making history as the first woman to hold the position in the state. Meanwhile, Mumbai is preparing for moderate to heavy rainfall, with a yellow alert issued for Sunday and an orange alert for Monday. In other news, faculty at Tata Institute of Social Sciences allege that contracts for over 100 staff have not been renewed, sparking criticism. Lastly, the Indian Penal Code and two other laws will be replaced by three new criminal laws on Monday.
The recent collapse of a massive billboard in Mumbai, India, resulting in 16 deaths and over 75 injuries, has brought attention to the often overlooked impact of local weather events. This incident, caused by a localised dust storm and rain, highlights the need for better planning and preparation for multi-hazard weather events. With rising global temperatures, countries like India are experiencing more frequent and intense thunderstorms, making it crucial to address the potential damage they can cause.