Heavy Rains Hit Mumbai: Semi-Govt Offices Shut Half-Day, Private Firms Told to Allow WFH
MUMBAI: With torrential rain lashing Mumbai and surrounding regions, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday advised private establishments to allow employees to work from home wherever possible and declared a half-day for non-essential government and semi-government offices to minimise travel during the severe weather.
The advisory follows the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) issuance of a red alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, warning of extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 80-90 kmph in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts.
The disaster management authority also appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary movement, stay indoors unless absolutely essential, and strictly follow official advisories as heavy rain continued to disrupt normal life across Mumbai and adjoining areas. Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan urged citizens not to step outside unless unavoidable, saying the worsening weather posed a serious risk to life and property.
Mahajan warned that wind speeds, which reached 50-60 kmph on Sunday, were expected to increase to 70-90 kmph on Monday, heightening the risk of falling trees and damage to vehicles and infrastructure. “Trees have fallen, and vehicles have been damaged in various parts of Mumbai. Do not step out without any solid reason, as there is also a threat to life in such a situation,” he said, adding that police would take strict action if people ignored safety restrictions.
The minister also said that while the ongoing rains were expected to improve reservoir levels, it would take another three to four days of sustained rainfall for dam storage across the state to be significantly replenished.
