With heavy rainfall disrupting normal life in Maharashtra, State Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan has urged citizens to refrain from engaging in monsoon tourism and unnecessary outings. The minister emphasized the severity of the situation, highlighting road and railway closures, as well as the shutdown of the Pune-Mumbai transport corridor. Schools have also been instructed to remain closed due to the inclement weather conditions.
Mahajan expressed concern over the impact of the severe weather, citing wind speeds of 70 to 90 km/h leading to uprooted trees in Mumbai. He cautioned against outdoor gatherings, stressing the importance of adhering to official advisories to ensure public safety. A red alert has been issued for several areas, warning of heavy downpours and stormy weather conditions for Monday and Tuesday.
Addressing safety concerns at tourist spots, Minister Mahajan warned against disregarding warnings, citing recent incidents where individuals lost their lives at waterfalls. He urged citizens to cooperate and avoid politicizing the situation, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to safety measures. Despite rising water levels in reservoirs from continuous rainfall, catchment areas are yet to receive adequate precipitation, with further increases expected in the coming days.
The ongoing heavy rains have severely impacted traffic between Pune and Mumbai, with districts like Raigad, Palghar, Mumbai, and Pune bearing the brunt of the downpours. Minister Mahajan advised citizens to remain vigilant and follow essential safety guidelines to mitigate risks. In response to the weather conditions, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has recommended private offices to facilitate work from home arrangements and announced reduced operating hours for government offices, excluding essential services.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reiterated the warnings, noting the red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), with anticipated wind speeds of 80 to 90 km/h.
