The Mumbai Police issued a red alert on Thursday, advising residents to stay indoors as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted extremely heavy rainfall and thunderstorms for the city.
Despite the warning, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced that all schools and colleges within its jurisdiction will remain open on Friday.
The IMD's red alert, which remains in effect until 8:30 am on July 26, predicts a day of intense downpours that could lead to severe traffic disruptions, waterlogging, and public transport delays.
Mumbai Police took to social media platform X to caution citizens: "IMD has declared a Red alert for Mumbai till tomorrow morning 8.30 am. Requesting all Mumbaikars to stay indoors, until essential. Please stay safe."
The advisory also urged residents to dial 100 in case of emergencies. However, in a conflicting message, the BMC reassured the public that the current weather conditions were normal and would not warrant the closure of educational institutions.
"The weather and rainfall in Mumbai are normal at present, allowing life in the metropolitan city to proceed smoothly. As a result, all schools and colleges in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) area will remain open on a regular basis tomorrow, Friday, 26th July 2024," the BMC stated on X.
The BMC further advised parents to disregard any rumours regarding school closures and to rely solely on official communications from the civic body.
"Parents are humbly requested not to believe any other information or rumours regarding school and college holidays and to rely only on official information from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The civic administration urges citizens to stay in touch with the management of the concerned schools and colleges for more information," the statement added.
The heavy rains on Thursday led to significant disruptions across Mumbai. Nearly a dozen flights were cancelled, and ten were diverted to nearby areas.
Waterlogging on train tracks and stations resulted in delays in local train services.
According to civic authorities, rainfall recorded over the last 24 hours until 8:30 am on Thursday was 44 mm in Mumbai city, 90 mm in the eastern suburbs, and 89 mm in the western suburbs.
The intense rainfall caused flooding on streets and in homes, exacerbating traffic congestion and posing challenges for commuters.
In response to the conditions, Mumbai Police also posted a cautionary message on social media, urging residents to exercise care, especially near Marine Drive, a popular coastal promenade known for its vulnerability to waterlogging.
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