Maharashtra: Heavy rains forecast in Mumbai, other coastal areas; stay alert, Uddhav Thackeray tells officials

Mumbai: Maharashtra chief minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday directed the state administration to stay alert and be prepared to tackle any eventuality in the wake of the forecast of heavy rains in Mumbai and other coastal areas of the state during this week. The chief minister in a statement said patients, including of COVID-19, should not face any hurdle in their treatment. People living in low-lying areas, dilapidated buildings and landslide-prone areas should be moved to safer places, he told the state administration. He also asked guardian ministers to convene meetings of district disaster management authorities. “There is a forecast of heavy rains from June 9 to 12 in the Mumbai Metropolian Region and Konkan region…prepare yourself to face any eventuality,” he said. Thackeray directed the administration at the state and district levels to work in co-ordination and ensure people do not face any hardships. The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Mumbai in a tweet said, “Severe weather warnings over the region during next 5 days. Increase in rainfall activity expected over Konkan and adjoining ghat areas of Madhya Maharashtra from 10th June.” In another tweet, the RMC said thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, gusty winds and moderate to intense spells of rain very likely over Thane, Raigad, Palghar, Ahmednagar, Pune, Beed, Jalna,Parbhani, Hingoli, Nanded, Aurangabad and Latur during next three-four hours. The IMD’s head SID, Climate Research & Services at Pune, KS Hosalikar in a tweet said, “Pl see the severe weather warnings given by IMD today for coming 5 days. From 10th June onward enhancement in rainfall is seen over Konkan, with possibility of heavy to very heavy at isolated places. Trend is likely to continue. pl watch IMD updates.”