Rains continue to batter Maharashtra and Telangana as the Indian Meterological Department (IMD) predicts more showers on Friday. While the IMD forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Maharashtra, including Mumbai, Telangana, which has been receiving record rainfall, will continue to witness moderate rainfall on Friday.
The showers caused landslides on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Kamshet tunnel on Thursday night, disrupting traffic towards Mumbai. Officials worked late into Thursday night to clear the debris on the busy six-lane road.
Earlier the day, Mumbai-bound vehicular movement was shut for more than two hours near Adoshi tunnel after boulders rolled down the hills. The highway police blocked traffic from 12 noon till 2 pm and vehicles were allowed on the road from 2.30 pm onwards.
The 95-km expressway connecting the two major cities of Maharashtra - Mumbai and Pune - passes through the Sahyadri mountain ranges and is dotted with tunnels.
Meanwhile, Mumbai woke up to showers on Friday. According to BMC, heavy to very-heavy rainfall is likely in in Mumbai and its suburbs. There is also a possibility of occasional gusty winds reaching 40-50 km/h.
The average rainfall for the island city, eastern and west suburbs was 83.23 mm, 62.72 mm and 95.01 mm, respectively, between 8 am to 6 pm on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the southern state of Telangana continues to witness record down pour for the last few days. In view of the weather, the state government announced a holiday for all the schools, colleges, and educational institutions across the state on Friday.
In its daily weather report for Telangana (at 8.30 am on July 27), the Met Centre said exceptional heavy rainfall occurred at several places in Hanumakonda and at a few places in Mulugu, Jayashankar Bhupalpally districts and at isolated places in Jangaon, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Karimnagar, and Warangal districts of Telangana.
According to the report, Chityal in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district received 62 cm rainfall, followed by Regonda (47) in the same district. Parkal in Hanumakonda district received 46 cm of rainfall.
According to the state officials, eight people died in various rain-related incidents since July 22. The rains also caused inundation of low-lying areas and damage to roads and agricultural crops.
Union Tourism and Culture Minister G Kishan Reddy said he spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on the prevailing flood situation in Telangana. "Hon'ble HM has promised all possible help in the rescue and relief works for safe guarding the people of Telangana during this situation. Presently 2 helicopters are in service. 5 NDRF teams are also deployed for the rescue and relief works. Rescue mission for the stranded people underway," Reddy said in a tweet.
In its 'seven day forecast and farmers' weather bulletin for Telangana issued at 2030 hours on July 27, the India Meteorological Department said (red warning) that heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rain and exceptional heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in Nirmal, Nizamabad and other districts from 2030 hours of July 27 to 0830 hours of July 28.
(With inputs from PTI)