BMC announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Mumbai on Monday, July 6 after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert warning of heavy rainfall and gusty winds across the city.
The decision has been taken to protect the security of students as Mumbai is still experiencing monsoon showers which have disrupted normal life for the last couple of days.
According to the BMC, “In view of the Orange Alert issued by the IMD and keeping the safety of students in mind, a holiday has been declared on Monday, July 6, 2023 for all government, private and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools and colleges in Mumbai."
While schools will be closed, the city insists that government and private offices will be open, and that people are also advised not to travel without permission or go out and that if possible only if they go outside only when necessary and only if it's very important because of the heavy rain and strong winds, as well, the mayor said.
The India Meteorological Department has predicted intense rainfall activity in Mumbai and neighbouring areas and has been issuing a vivid rainfall warning on Mumbai and surrounding areas and this triggered the orange alert. The warning is that weather conditions may cause a disruption of daily life and transport and localised flooding and waterlogging will be expected to occur with severe waterlogging in low-lying areas due to heavy rain in Mumbai and other locations and the city’s surrounding areas.
Mumbai and its neighboring regions have already seen several days of heavy rain and traffic congestion and public transport suffer from waterlogging and even traffic congestion and disruption. There have also been numerous tree falls and damage to infrastructure during the southwest monsoon.
The current spell of rain continues to be heartbreaking as well. At least three people have died in rain-related accidents since June 30, including a schoolboy, mainly due to falling trees.
Civic authorities have deployed emergency teams at risk areas of the city to monitor and respond to waterlogging, fallen trees and other weather-related emergencies. Disaster management teams are on high alert as rain is expected to continue to pour in the day.
Residents are advised to keep track of official weather updates, avoid flooded roads and low-lying areas and to be safe when travelling. Commuters are also advised to check transport updates before heading to work as intermittent heavy showers may affect road and rail services.
With more rain forecast over the next 24 hours, the authorities are watching closely and all necessary measures are being taken, in the public interest, to avoid disruption, and to keep public safety, the IMD said.
