Massive dust storm, rains strike Mumbai
The first rains of the season arrived in Mumbai today around 3 p.m., along with a tremendous dust storm that turned the sky dark. While the residents of Mumbai and the surrounding area were relieved of heat by rainfall, but the metropolitan’s skyline was surrounded by dusty winds.
As commuters sought shelter during the storm, the abrupt shift in the weather caused traffic to come to a complete stop.
In the Mumbai neighborhoods of Ghatkopar, Bandra Kurla, and Dharavi, there were strong gusts and rain.
Flight operations halted
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One of the busiest airports in the nation, Mumbai airport, briefly halted landing and takeoff operations, according to officials.
In an update, the airport authority stated that 15 flight diversions were seen during the storm before operations began again at 5:03 p.m.
Last week, the Mumbai Airport successfully finished its pre-monsoon runway maintenance, guaranteeing secure and efficient aviation operations.
Metro services were suspended between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations after a banner landed on the overheard wire due to strong winds, a spokesperson from Metro Rail said.
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Strong gusts caused an overhead equipment pole between the Thane and Mulund stations to bend, affecting suburban services on the Central Railway, according to an official.
The suburban services on the Main Line have been suspended, the chief spokesperson of Central Railway said.
Giant hoarding falls; several injured
Visuals showed a 100-foot massive hoarding was uprooted and fell on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction in Ghatkopar area, trapping vehicles and people.
Several people are heard saying “They are dead…they are dead”. Although there haven’t been any confirmed casualties yet, a rescue effort is under progress.
Mumbai never witnessed such high power storms. #MumbaiRains pic.twitter.com/bqYMdsuBgW
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) May 13, 2024
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IMD issues warning for more rains
A “nowcast warning” with lightning and moderate to strong rainstorms is being issued for Thane, Palghar, and Mumbai by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Mumbai.
According to a meteorological office update, isolated locations in the districts of Palghar and Thane are likely to see thunderstorms with lightning, moderate to strong rainstorms, and gusty rains of up to 50–60 km/h over the next few hours.
📌Mod to intense thunderstorms over Red marked areas; District of Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Nagar & eastern suburbs of Mumbai during next 2 hrs. Mulund, Tiltwala, Kalyaan
📌Mod to severe thunderstorms over yellow areas covering South ghat areas of Pune, Satara next 2,3 hrs
Watch pl pic.twitter.com/WF7qd7LWsE— K S Hosalikar (@Hosalikar_KS) May 13, 2024
Strong winds caused trees to fall in numerous locations. A tree in the Aroli Sector 5 district of Navi Mumbai, a neighboring city of Mumbai, fell over a busy road.
