Several agencies have been put on alert as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted “very heavy” rainfall across several parts of Maharashtra in the coming days. The IMD’s bulletin on Thursday indicated that “isolated heavy rainfall” is likely over parts of Central Maharashtra, the Konkan region, and other areas of the state on July 26 and 27. The situation in Mumbai and Pune remains grim as the weather body issued a ‘red alert’, predicting spells of intense rainfall.
Despite the red alert, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced that all schools and colleges would remain open on Friday. “The weather and rainfall in Mumbai are normal at present, allowing life in the metropolitan city to proceed smoothly. As a result, all schools and colleges in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area will remain open on a regular basis tomorrow, Friday, 26th July 2024. Parents are humbly requested not to believe any other information or rumors regarding school and college holidays and to rely only on official information from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The civic administration urges citizens to stay in touch with the management of the concerned schools and colleges for more,” the civic body stated in a post on X.
Earlier on Thursday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde convened a high-level meeting with Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis to review the relief and rescue operations. After the meeting, the Chief Minister announced that teams of NDRF, SDRF units, Army, Navy, police, fire brigade, and doctors have been mobilized across the state to expedite relief operations and provide necessary assistance.
“I have spoken to the Army and Navy officials related to Pune. I have asked for deploying helicopters to rescue people trapped in various places due to floods,” Shinde said. “The units of NDRF, SDRF, Army, Navy, Police, Fire Brigade, Health System have been directed to coordinate with each other and lend help. These agencies need to work as a team and shift the flood-affected people safely, provide them with food packets, arrange medicines and water. Instructions have been given to take the help of NDRF, Army, and Navy,” he added.
“Pune, Maval, and Mulshi have received heavy rainfall in the dam area, affecting Pune significantly. There is also heavy rain in Mumbai city and suburbs. The administration is fully alert to deal with any calamity in Mumbai, and I am in touch with Pune, Raigad, and Mumbai Collectors and Municipal Commissioners,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s meeting underscores the severity of the weather conditions and the state’s proactive measures to mitigate the impact on its residents. The coordinated efforts of various agencies aim to ensure the safety and well-being of those affected by the heavy rains.
