Mumbai: On the second consecutive day, Mumbai and it's metropolitan regions were lashed with pre-monsoon rains with thunderstorms and lightening on Wednesday. The weather change brought temporary relief from the scorching heat, however, the thundershowers with gusty winds in the evening resulted in over 100 tree branches collapse and disruption in local train services.
As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), for the next 24 hours, Mumbai city and suburbs will continue witnessing cloudy skies with thunderstorms accompanied with lightening and gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph at isolated places. There is possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall in the suburbs. A Yellow alert for rainfall with thunderstorms continuous for Thursday, May 8 for the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad.
A crane of an under construction building collapsed due to heavy wind and rain at Byculla in Mumbai | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
On Wednesday afternoon, IMD issued warnings for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar districts for moderate rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching 50-60 kmph. Mumbai suburbs recieved more rainfall than the city area. As per the IMD, by 5.30 pm, the Santacruz observatory recorded 21.2 mm rainfall and a maximum temperature of 33.8 °C. While Colaba observatory recorded 3 mm rainfall and a maximum temperature of 32.4 °C.
Scaffolding of an under construction building collapsed due to heavy wind and rain near JJ hospital in Mumbai | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
As per the BMC disaster management, in the span of one hour - 4 to 5 pm, when the thunderstorms were sharpest, 13 tree branches fell. The areas which recieved highest rainfall included Bhandup, Powai, LBS Road, BKC, Aarey colony, Versova, Masjid and Nariman Point.
Meanwhile, the pre-monsoon rains also disrupted the local train services on both Central and Western lines during the evening peak hours. On the western railway, suburban train services were affected after a tree branches falling on the overhead electric wires (OHE). The services of the slow line were briefly halted, however, as cascading effect the trains were running behind schedule.
Workers clearing the road after a tree collapsed at Byculla | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
Workers clearing the road after a tree collapsed at Byculla | Photo Credits: Salman Ansari
On the central railway, few mainline services were delayed, while trains on the harbour line were also running late.
As per the weather department, the pre-monsoon showers are likely to continue for next two to three days and will drop the temperature, giving brief respite from the heat. However, there will be ml relief from the humidity. As the western winds are pulling in the moisture, the humidity levels are expected to rise.
