Anupama Nair
www.mediaeyenews.com
June 10, Mumbai: Mumbai or maximum city as it is known was bought to standstill from yesterday as unrelentless rain continue to lash on the city. The monsoon season is the favorite season after winter for many of us including me. The sweet sound of the raindrops falling on the windowpane or on the ground is music to me. But if the very rain causes mayhem, lives become difficult as was seen in the last two days.
The first monsoon rains hit Mumbai with its full wrath for the last two days, hitting road and rail traffic, and flooding low-lying areas like every other year amidst BMC’s claim of Monsoon preparedness and many crores down the drain. Large parts of Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad witnessed heavy rains just a few weeks after the cyclone Tauktae caused much devastation.
“Mumbai will continue to experience heavy rainfall till June 15”, reported the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The IMD placed Mumbai and neighboring districts of Palgarh, Thane and Raigad under a red category storm warning. "Mumbai city and suburbs very likely to experience light to moderate spell of rainfall with possibility of occasional intense spells during next 3-4 hours," said sources from the IMD.
A building in Malad collapsed yesterday killing 11 including 8 children. The honorable CM, Mr. Uddhav Thakre visited the Shatabdi Hospital where, those injured in the building collapse are admitted. The Chief minister was accompanied by the Guardian minister Mr. Aditya Thackeray and BMC Commissioner, Mr. Iqbal Singh Chahal.
Continuous rain battered Mumbai today also, as predicted by the IMD. Orange Alert was issued for today. As precautionary measures the NDRF has deployed 15 teams across Maharashtra. "NDRF teams have been mobilized in the districts of Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Palghar and Raigad." There was flooding reported in Sion railway station, King Circle flyover and Chunabatti as per last reports. Malad subway was waterlogged following heavy rainfall in the city.
Isn’t it the same old story every year as BMC blames Railways and vice versa? Political parties play blame game as it is the common citizens who suffer year after year. When will BMC or the Government feel “the buck stops here”. Guess we will have to wait for many more disasters.
