Mumbai: Rain levels finally cross 3-digit mark

The monsoon levels in Mumbai finally crossed triple-digit figures on Thursday. The city witnessed consistent rainfall with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Colaba observatory recording 125 mm in nine hours. Some parts of the city witnessed water logging, while the Andheri subway had to be shut down for a few hours.

Meanwhile, the front portion of a vacated building in Kalbadevi and another at Sion collapsed in the evening, while there were eight incidents of short circuits and 10 incidents of tree falling reported in the city.

No injuries were reported in these incidents. As per IMD records, 292 mm of rainfall was recorded in June till Thursday morning. It is the second-lowest June rainfall in a decade, while the lowest rainfall of 87.3 mm for the month was recorded in 2014.

This June recorded only 59 per cent of its average rain, way below its average of 493 mm. In 12 hours on Thursday till 8.30 p.m. the IMD Colaba and Santacruz have recorded 163 mm and 105 mm rainfall.

Meanwhile water logging was reported in low lying areas of Dadar, Kurla, Sion, Wadala, Kingcircle, Andheri.

The IMD Colaba observatory recorded 125 mm while the Santacruz observatory recorded 52 mm of rainfall. Sushma Nair, a scientist at IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre, Mumbai, said, “For the first time this year, Mumbai crossed the three-digit mark on Thursday. According to the IMD, 100 mm rainfall and above is considered heavy rainfall.”

The continuous downpour led to water logging in some low-lying areas in the city. The Andheri subway was closed temporarily due to water logging and traffic was diverted to Gokhale Road.

According to the traffic control department, traffic increased throughout the day, especially in the evening and they have advised the commuters to travel via the highway instead of using the subways. The two incidents of building collapse didn't cause any injuries as both buildings had been vacated.

However, people residing behind the building in Kalbadevi had a narrow escape.

Gusty winds caused seven trees to fall in the western suburbs. The highest rainfall in the city area – up to 100 mm – was recorded in Malabar Hill, Marine lines (98 mm), and the SWD workshop at Dadar (95 mm).