Mumbai rains: BMC orders high-level probe after woman drowns in open drain | Mumbai News

NEW DELHI: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday launched a high-level investigation after a 45-year-old woman drowned in an open nullah that had burst its banks due to heavy rains. Andheria suburb, on Wednesday evening.
The incident occurred around 9.20 pm near Gate No. 8 of MIDC, Andheri East.
The victim was identified as Vimal Anil Gaikwad.
Local police and fire departments were immediately alerted and took the woman to Cooper Hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Meanwhile, road and rail traffic in Mumbai resumed on Thursday morning after rains subsided in most parts of the city, but skies remained cloudy.
Local trains, considered the lifeline of Mumbai, also ran, although authorities said some services were slightly delayed.
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses also resumed operations early in the morning.
Earlier, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a red warning for Mumbai and the neighbouring districts of Thane, Palghar and Raigad for Thursday morning.
In its weather report at 8 a.m., the IMD had predicted a “thunderstorm with lightning, strong to very heavy rainand gusty winds reach 40-50 km/h.”
Due to heavy rains on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all schools and colleges on Thursday. Educational institutions in Thane, Palghar, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad also remained closed due to the weather conditions.
Authorities have asked Mumbai residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. The BMC posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Mumbai residents should avoid stepping out of their homes unless absolutely necessary.”
On Wednesday, heavy rains turned some roads, such as Sonapur in Bhandup, into raging rivers; several areas received more than 100 mm of rain in five hours.
Flooding was reported on roads like Ghatkopar-Andheri Road, Khairani Road and LBS Marg, with water reaching chest-deep levels in some places.
Many residents reported damage to their property as water entered their homes.
Local trains were disrupted between Kurla and Thane stations on the Central Line on Wednesday, stranding thousands of commuters at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and other railway stations while traffic congestion occurred in several parts of the city.
Central Railway suburban services were disrupted for several hours as tracks between Sion and Thane on the main line and between Chunabhatti and Mankhurd on the Harbour Line were inundated.
(With agency contributions)