Mumbai schools and colleges closed due to heavy rains, waterlogging; NDRF teams deployed

Mumbai encountered severe rainfall leading to the closure of schools and colleges by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) due to adverse weather conditions. The city recorded over 300 mm of rainfall between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m., resulting in widespread waterlogging and travel disruptions.

Amid heavy rains in Mumbai, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation declares a holiday for the second-session of schools today. A holiday was declared for the first session of schools in the morning.

Transportation Services Severely Affected
The heavy downpour caused significant disruptions in Mumbai's transportation services, including local train services and flight operations. Central Railway suburban services experienced interruptions, with waterlogged tracks at Sion and between Bhandup and Nahur stations. Trains were halted for nearly an hour before operations resumed amid ongoing challenges.

IndiGo airlines issued a statement saying, "Due to weather and subsequent air traffic congestion, flights to/from Mumbai are impacted. Do keep a tab on your flight status." The airline advised passengers to monitor their flight schedules closely.

Weather Forecast and Continued Impact
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted continued moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day and in the upcoming days for Mumbai. Areas like Dindoshi reported persistent heavy rainfall, exacerbating waterlogging issues across the city. IMD also warned of heavy rains affecting regions such as Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada from July 8 to July 10, 2024.

Moderate Rain is very likely to occur at most places over Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Palghar, Raigarh, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Thane in next 3 hours.

Mumbai University Exams Postponed
Mumbai University postponed all exams scheduled for today by the CDOE (formerly IDOL) from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM due to the adverse weather conditions. The university administration rescheduled the exams to July 13, 2024, ensuring minimal disruption to students' academic schedules.

"The Mumbai University has postponed all exams of the Centre of Distance and Open Learning (formerly IDOL) scheduled on Monday, July 8, 2024 of the first half, i.e., from 11 am to 2 pm. The new date for these exams is July 13, 2024. Time & venue will remain the same," a statement from the Varsity said.

Goa Schools Respond to Weather Alert
Responding to the IMD's weather alert, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced the closure of schools from pre-primary to the 12th standard. However, Anganwadis and government and private offices continued operations according to their regular schedules.

The BMC's official Twitter account posted, "Heavy rain is also expected today. In order to avoid inconvenience to students, a holiday for the first session is declared for all BMC, Government and Private schools and colleges in the Mumbai (BMC area). The decision for the next session will be announced after reviewing the situation." Authorities are closely monitoring the weather conditions and are prepared to make further announcements based on developments.

The impact of heavy rainfall in Mumbai has led to significant disruptions in daily life, affecting transportation, educational institutions, and public services. As authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, residents are urged to exercise caution and stay updated with the latest weather advisories and official announcements.

(With inputs from agencies)