Maharashtra: IMD issues alert for heavy rainfall, schools and colleges declare holiday

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning for very heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Palghar, Thane, and Sindhudurg until Friday morning. Heavy downpours are also likely over isolated places in Raigad and Ratnagiri, the IMD said.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges under its jurisdiction. Additionally, the BMC has requested all citizens to avoid stepping out unless necessary.

Rainfall recorded over the past 24 hours until 8:30 a.m. today was 44 mm in Mumbai city, 90 mm in the eastern suburbs, and 89 mm in the western suburbs.

Earlier today, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assessed the situation in the state. Shinde directed the Raigad collector to provide all possible help to flood-affected people.

Meanwhile, traffic has been halted at Tamhini Ghat on the Raigad-Pune route due to debris from a landslide caused by the heavy rains, local police said.