Mumbai rains: IMD issues red alert as city continues to receive extremely heavy rains

BMC appeals to all offices and other establishments to remain shut today, except emergency services.

Mumbai: With continuous rainfall all through the night, people in several parts of Mumbai on Tuesday woke up to severe waterlogging. The weather department has sounded a red alert for today and tomorrow for extremely heavy rain in Mumbai.

Following a weather alert from the Indian Meteorological Department, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued an advisory for Mumbai asking people not to leave homes unless necessary.

The BMC tweeted, "People are advised not to go near beaches and other low lying areas as a high tide of 4.51 meters is expected in Mumbai at 12:47 pm today:

According to the weather forecast given by the Indian Meteorological Department, torrential rains are expected in Mumbai city and suburbs today and high tide at 12:47 pm. Mumbaikars are urged not to leave their homes unless there is an urgent need. And stay away from beaches and waterlogged places. "

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red alert for Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Raigad and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra for Tuesday and said the districts will receive extremely heavy rainfall in next 24 hours. The weather agency has also upgraded its earlier rain forecast from "heavy-very heavy" to "extremely heavy".

Tides waves of around 4.51 meters have been predicted due to the heavy rains.  Education officers have been told to keep the BMC schools prepared if any emergency situation arises and people need shelter.

Though Mumbai had been receiving intermittent rainfall, forecasting agencies said this would be the second spell of heavy rainfall this monsoon after a gap of a fortnight.