Severe Monsoon Disrupts Life in Maharashtra: Schools Closed and Alerts Issued
Maharashtra Faces Heavy Monsoon Challenges
The monsoon has wreaked havoc across Maharashtra, significantly disrupting daily life. Since Tuesday morning, Mumbai has been under thick clouds with strong winds. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'Orange Alert' for Mumbai and its surrounding areas, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall along with gusty winds. In response to the potential danger, authorities have declared a holiday for all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges in Mumbai for the day.
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Officials reported that all educational institutions in Mumbai will remain closed as a precaution. Continuous rainfall has brought life in Mumbai and nearby districts to a standstill, with many roads submerged, uprooted trees, and incidents of walls and billboards collapsing.
An official explained that the IMD's 'Orange Alert' indicates severe weather conditions are expected, urging residents to be prepared and vigilant. This alert level suggests significant disruptions to daily activities, potential delays in transportation, and possible power outages. The 'Orange Alert' is the third tier in a four-level color-coded warning system, positioned above the 'Yellow Alert' and below the 'Red Alert.'
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Authorities also mentioned that traffic on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway's 'Missing Link' bypass was resumed on Monday night after being closed for over 18 hours due to landslides caused by heavy rainfall. A senior official from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) stated that traffic was restored at 10:10 PM after safety checks were completed at the landslide site.
The route had been blocked since around 4 AM on Monday following a landslide near the exit of the longest tunnel, 'Tunnel Two,' leading to Mumbai.
In Pune district, heavy rainfall resulted in landslides and wall collapses, claiming the lives of four individuals, including three members of the same family. Additionally, two others were swept away in separate rain-related incidents, prompting authorities to evacuate over 500 people to safer locations. Reports indicate that numerous landslides occurred across the district due to the intense rainfall, with one incident in Pattan village of Maval tehsil resulting in the tragic loss of three family members.