15 dead as heavy rain pounds Mumbai; rail, road traffic hit

Mumbai, July 18

Fifteen people died in house collapses triggered by landslides as incessant overnight rain pounded Mumbai and nearby areas, with the city witnessing severe waterlogging, and disruption of local train services and vehicular traffic.

Twelve people died as a compound wall came crashing down on some houses after a landslide at Bharatnagar Vashi Naka locality in Mumbai’s Mahul area, a fire official said.

The retaining wall collapsed at 1 am, he said. Two people were injured and taken to nearby Rajawadi hospital from where they have been discharged after preliminary treatment, he added.

Three hutment dwellers were killed as five shanties collapsed after a landslide following incessant overnight rains in Mumbai’s Vikhrolisuburb at 2.30 am, a civic official said. Two persons were injured and were sent to a nearby hospital, he added.

The suburban train services on both Central Railway and Western Railway in the financial capital were suspended due to waterlogging in the tracks due to the overnight heavy downpour, railway officials said.

The rain fury reminded some Mumbaikars of the 24-hour rainfall figure of 944mm on July 26, 2005.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Mumbai in the backdrop of heavy rain, a BMC official said. PTI