Recently Mumbai experienced the season’s first rains, followed by a massive dust storm which turned the sky dark around 3 pm. Rainfall brought relief to the residents of Mumbai and its adjoining area from heat but dusty winds encircled the metropolitan skyline. The traffic was at a standstill because of the sudden change in weather and during the storm travelers found shelter.
In certain areas of Mumbai such as Ghatkopar, Bandra Kurla, and Dharavi strong winds and rain were seen.Landing and takeoff operations at the Mumbai airport, which is one of the busiest airports in the country, were temporarily suspended, say officials. The airport authority in an update said the operations resumed at 5:03 pm and it witnessed 15 flight diversions during the storm. Last week the Mumbai Airport completed its pre-monsoon runway maintenance successfully, ensuring safe and smooth aircraft operations.
At the Cheddanagar Junction in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar, a 100-foot-tall billboard was uprooted and fell on a petrol pump trapping vehicles and people. To rescue the people from the trap The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was called. Three people died and 67 were rescued from the site. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai has issued a nowcast warning, which forecast a thunderstorm followed by lightning and moderate to intense spells of rain for Thane, Palghar, and Mumbai. According to a recent update, the weather office said that thunderstorms which were accompanied by lightning and moderate to intense spells of rain with breezy winds reaching 50-60 km/hr. And are very likely to occur in isolated places in the districts of Palghar and Thane.
A spokesperson from Metro Rail says that Metro services were suspended between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations after a banner landed on the overheard wire due to strong winds. Due to the strong winds, an overhead equipment pole between Thane and Mulund stations got bent and the Suburban services on Central Railway were affected. In several areas strong wind causes trees to fall. In Mumbai’s neighboring Navi Mumbai, a tree fell on a busy road in the Aroli Sector. No one was hurt but the traffic stopped and travelers parked their vehicles at a safe place as heavy winds continued to hit the city.
