Mumbai under yellow alert: Tree fall kills 3 in Kalyan; train & flight operations disrupted as pre-monsoon rain lashes city

MUMBAI: Three people travelling in an autorickshaw, including the driver, were killed in Kalyan east after heavy rain and thunderstorm, which were witnessed across the city and suburbs on Tuesday night, led to a huge Gulmohar tree crashing on the vehicle. The first pre-monsoon showers of the year also disrupted several suburban railway services with trains reported as running late.Thunderstorm and cumulonimbus clouds also led to diversion of 14 flights by 11pm, said an aviation source.Several parts of Mumbai, including Andheri, Bandra, Kandivli, Mulund and Bhandup, recorded rain activity, leading to a sudden drop in temperatures. Rain and strong winds brought much-needed respite to citizens braving hot and humid weathers conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued a yellow alert forecast indicating rain and thunder activity for May 6-7.IMD also issued a nowcast warning for Mumbai and surrounding districts, predicting thunderstorms, moderate rain, and gusty winds over the next few hours. The alert, issued at 9:35pm on Tuesday, stated that isolated areas in Mumbai city, suburbs, Thane, Palghar, and Nashik are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, with wind speeds reaching 50-60 kmph. Moderate spells of rain are also expected.The IMD advised citizens to exercise caution while stepping out while authorities too urged residents stay indoors. The unseasonal showers were due to a ‘very strong' western disturbance system in the lower levels. IMD stated that the western disturbance, a cyclonic circulation, which was previously over central Pakistan, is currently over west Rajasthan and neighbourhood.In the past too, Mumbai has recorded pre-monsoon showers in May, with data showing city receiving 21.3mm in 2024, while in 2023, it logged 3.4mm.(With inputs from Manthan Mehta & Manju V)