Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, July 2
At least 35 persons died in various rain-related incidents in Mumbai and Pune as incessant rain paralysed the two cities for the fourth day today.
According to police and fire officials, 21 persons were killed and 78 injured after a wall collapsed on a cluster of shanties at Kurar village in Mumbai’s suburban Malad. The incident took place around 2 am at a construction site where scores of workers were put up in makeshift structures.
Rescue of those trapped in the debris was hampered by poor visibility and clogged approach roads. Several fire brigade personnel who were brought in to rescue the victims received injuries from falling debris, officials said.
The government later announced Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of the deceased.
Heavy rains threw rail, air and road traffic out of gear, with several trains and flights cancelled.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a probe into the wall collapse — the second after Saturday when 15 persons had died under similar circumstances after a wall collapsed on shanties at Khondwa in Pune.
Congress’ Sanjay Nirupam alleged that people injured in the wall collapse were not being provided adequate care at government hospitals. “More than 60 persons seriously injured are being treated at Trauma Center, Jogeshwari. I have been informed that hospital staff is not treating them properly & seeking money for medicines & all. Pl look into it (sic),” he tweeted.
Elsewhere in Malad, two persons drowned after their car was submerged in flood waters, police said. The victims could not escape as the doors of the car were jammed.
With Mumbai and its surrounding areas receiving very heavy rainfall, the government declared a public holiday in the city and suburbs. Schools and colleges were ordered closed and people were advised not to venture out unless absolutely necessary.
Train services were disrupted for the second day today as the tracks were flooded. Both Western and Central Railways cancelled services or terminated trains well before their final destinations.
Altogether 54 flights were diverted and 52 cancelled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after a Spicejet aircraft overshot the runway and skidded into the grass nearby late last night. The aircraft had 167 passengers and crew on board but no one was injured.
Mumbai received 375.2 mm rain in 24 hours till 8.30 am today. It was the highest rainfall in the city since the July 26, 2005, deluge, according to weather officials.
The Indian Meterological Department and private Skymet weather station warned of heavy-to-very-heavy rainfall in the next 48 hours. Vidarbha and Marathwada are also expected to receive very high rainfall.
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2XgIwAZ
via Today’s News Headlines
No comments: