At least 30 people have died after they got trapped under the rubble of their homes in Mumbai's Chembur and Vikhroli areas following heavy rains that lashed the city and its suburbs for several hours late yesterday night and early this morning. A red alert has been sounded in the city and people have been advised not to venture out in the open.
In the Mahul area in Chembur, 19 people died when a compound wall came crashing down on some houses located on a hillock following a landslide on Saturday night, as per the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
In another incident, ten hutment-dwellers died as six shanties collapsed after a landslide in suburban Vikhroli at 2.30 am.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the loss of lives and announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the families of those who died. "Rs. 50,000 would be given to those injured," his office said on Twitter.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's office, meanwhile, announced Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the victims. Earlier state Environment Minister Aditya Thackeray, who is the son of the Chief Minister, visited the accident site in Chembur.
Mumbai recorded 176.96 mm rain between 8 pm and 8 am, officials said, adding that the eastern suburbs recorded 204.07 mm and the western 195.48 mm, respectively.
The downpour caused heavy flooding in low lying areas of Chunabhatti, Sion, Dadar, and Gandhi Market, Chembur and Kurla LBS Road.
Visuals from news agency ANI showed cars being swept away by the undercurrents in Borivali east area.
The suburban train services in the financial capital were suspended due to water logging in the tracks due to the overnight downpour.
Central Railway said that due to water logging in tracks at Dadar, Parel, Matunga, Kurla, Sion, Bhandup and other locations, train services on main line were suspended between CSMT and Thane.
Several long distance trains on both Central railway and Western Railway were affected due to the flooded tracks.
Mumbai will continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall in the next five days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
In 2019, the city recorded 375.2 mm on July 2, the highest 24-hour rain for July since 2010.
With inputs from agencies