The Hindu Business Line : Met warns of cloudburst in next 48 hours

THIS time no one was willing to take a chance. Still grappling with the aftermath of the deluge over 40 days ago, Mumbai's residents pushed the panic button as rains lashed the city on Friday.

The local train service, an unofficial barometer of life in Mumbai, showed the early signs of trouble. As information trickled in on train services being slow or disrupted on the three arterial lines connecting the city, Mumbai decided to shut shop early this week.

Some schools and colleges in the city closed early in the day and offices saw nervous employees leave for the railway stations to head home.

The city's police issued a travel advisory and even the seat of power wore an empty look as employees at Mantralaya proceeded home early. The rains come, even as residents celebrate the 10-day festival of Ganesh.

Rain has been forecast for the next 24 hours, with one or two heavy spells, said an official with the Indian Meteorological Department's regional office in Mumbai. The city received 2.4 millimetres of rain at Colaba in South Mumbai and 47.2 millimetres at Santacruz between 8.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m., he added.

Late in July, the city had witnessed torrential rains that had caught city authorities on the wrong foot. It received about 94 cm of rain in 24 hours, and, in floods and landslides triggered by the rains, over 1,000 people died in the region.

This time the city's residents and authorities do not wish to be caught in a similar situation. The disaster management machinery in the State has been mobilised, a top official with the State Government said. Further, the Collector of Mumbai and Konkan areas, municipal and police authorities were also put on high alert.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr A.P. Sinha, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and Chairman of the State Disaster Management Committee, said that the Metrological Department has warned of heavy rainfall in Mumbai and Konkan areas over the next 48 hours.

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