Mumbai: Authorities declared a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai and Pune on Tuesday after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall and strong winds as monsoon activity continued across Maharashtra.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) ordered the closure of all government, private and civic-run educational institutions in Mumbai, while the Pune district administration announced a holiday for schools as a precautionary measure. Residents have been advised to step out only if absolutely necessary.
The IMD has forecast intermittent heavy to very heavy rain in Mumbai, accompanied by gusty winds reaching 60-70 kph. A high tide of 3.93 meters is expected at 4:34 p.m. Tuesday, followed by another high tide of 3.41 meters at 5:43 a.m. Wednesday.
During the 24-hour period ending at 8 a.m. Tuesday, Mumbai recorded 46 mm of rainfall, while the city’s eastern and western suburbs received 77 mm and 78 mm, respectively.
In Pune, reservoir storage rose sharply from 3.7% to 16.9% following recent rainfall. However, officials said it was too early to withdraw the 10% water cut that has been in place since May 15.
Meanwhile, two lanes of the Pune-Mumbai Expressway Missing Link reopened after remaining closed for nearly 19 hours due to a rain-triggered landslide. Authorities have advised motorists to exercise caution as heavy rainfall continues across the state.
