Rains hit normal life in Mumbai

​Mumbai: Normal life in Mumbai has begun to see minor disruptions as heavy rains lashed the city on Thursday ahead of the southwest monsoon's arrival. The Indian Meteorological Department has warned of rain and thunder across Mumbai over the next 24 hours and has advised residents to stay indoors. 

Monsoon, which has currently reached south Goa, is expected to reach Mumbai in the next 48 to 72 hours, the IMD said. The IMD has also issued heavy rain warning for June 8 to June 10 in Mumbai and Thane area.

Following the IMD's alert, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation cancelled the Saturday and Sunday holidays of its officers, putting them on standby to deal with any possible disruptions over the weekend. Local trains in Mumbai were affected earlier today. Trains running on Mumbai's suburban railway Central line were delayed by at least 20 minutes.

A Jet Airways London to Mumbai flight was also been diverted today due to heavy rain in Mumbai. Flight 9W-117 was diverted to Ahmedabad airport and will land there at around 1pm. Private weather forecast agency Skymet Weather said on Wednesday that the intensity of the rain is likely to increase on Thursday. 

Skymet predicted heavy to very heavy rains in Mumbai, its adjoining districts and coastal Konkan till June 10. It added that visibility has reduced in Mumbai to 500 meters with dense low clouds over the city. Wind speed in the coastal city is likely to exceed 50 kmph, private weather forecast agency Skymet said. Water is reportedly logged in Powai and Hindmata while Lower Parel also witnessed downpour on Thursday.