Heavy rains in Mumbai cause waterlogging, traffic snarls

MUMBAI: Thursday evening saw torrential rains in the city leading to water logging in many low lying areas.
Parts of Sion along the arterial BA Ambekar road, Lower Parel near Kamala Mills compound, Bandra Worli Sea Link, SV road in Andheri and also the road below JJ flyover witnessed water accumulation owing to the continuous downpour.

Byculla resident Imran Abbas Sayyed, who was returning back to his home from Marine Lines said that on JJ flyover a few taxis were stranded.
"There was water logging both on and below the flyover. The intensity of rains was so strong that there was hardly any visibility for motorists to drive," said Sayyed, adding that there was water logging near JJ police station as well. He however said that traffic was nowhere stopped and he was able to reach home smoothly.
The heavy rains led to a few tree collapses, in some areas. Fortunately, casualties were reported in these incidents. King Circle resident Nikhil Desai said that with the month of June being almost entirely dry this heavy spell of rains is a welcome change. "Rains are much required and Thursday saw rains throughout the day," said Desai.
The rains, potholes on some roads of Mumbai were seen making a comeback. However the heavy rain spell was mostly in South Mumbai only even while suburbs remained rainy however fewer areas went down under water. Citizens also complained of slow traffic snarls in the Western Express Highway (WEH) due to the continuous rain activity.
BJP'S Akash Purohit who was at the Kalbadevi building crash site on Thursday said that heavy rains hampered the debris clearing operations
A senior BMC official said that the heavy rain spell started at 6 pm and all pumps were in operation. "While there was water logging reported in some parts of Mumbai however water in these areas receded quickly as well," said the official.
A part of a vacated building at Sion collapsed on Thursday evening around 6 pm. No injuries were reported in this incident. Meanwhile parts of Andheri Subway were completely water logged restricting traffic movement.