Heavy rains hit Mumbai, parts of city flooded

The monsoon tightened its grip over Mumbai Saturday, with heavy rains leading to flooding in the city and its suburbs, causing traffic snarls on highways and arterial roads and disrupting flights.

Several areas like Dadar, Wadala, Byculla, Mazagaon, Mahim, Santacruz, Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Kandivli, Mulund, Sion, Matunga and Ghatkopar were flooded with two to three feet deep water after the day-long showers.

Traffic movement on the two main highways and other main and arterial roads around the city was slow, leading to traffic jams in many parts.

According to the Met office, the city recorded 98 mm rain till late Saturday evening while the the suburbs got about 100 mm.

Flights witnessed 15-20 minute delays in landing and take-off as rain brought visibility down to 500 metres.

According to an airport official, the main runway was closed at 6.30 p.m. for 40 minutes after the tyre of a Jeddah-Mumbai flight was suspected to have burst. Consequently, other flights were also delayed. At least one incoming flight was diverted to Pune and another to Ahmedabad, the official said.

The weather office has forecast 'heavy to very heavy rain' during the next 24 hours while the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) has warned that the low-lying areas could experience more flooding.

So far the city has received a total of around 365 mm (312 mm below normal for this time of the season), while the suburbs have received 293 mm (382 mm below normal) rainfall.

The MCGM's 20 percent water cut imposed last month continues as usual.

Last updated on Jul 4^th, 2009 at 20:34 pm IST--IANS