Weather News: Red Alert In Mumbai, Schools Closed; NDRF In Pune For Rescue | Highlights, July 25

Here are the top highlights from today's weather news:

• Heavy Rains Lash Mumbai, BMC Announces School Holiday For July 26 | READ MORE

• Heavy Flooding, Landslides In Pune; NDRF Teams Deployed For Rescue Ops

• Airport Operations Hit In Mumbai Amid Incessant Rainfall

• Drone To Detect Buried Objects Deployed In Karnataka Amid Rescue Ops At Landslide Site

• Amid Heavy Showers In Pune, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Said People Will Be Airlifted If Needed

Get the latest weather news, updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and live coverage of weather events across India, including rains in Delhi and Mumbai, heatwave in Kashmir, and more. Stay tuned for real-time updates.

• Rains lashed Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, causing waterlogging and traffic snarls across the city.  The city has been put on a "yellow" alert till Thursday amid a forecast that rains will continue to lash the national capital till July 28.

• As many as eight persons were killed in rain-related incidents and more than 800 people evacuated after swollen rivers and overflowing dams cut off several villages and inundated low-lying areas in large parts of Gujarat amid torrential downpour on Wednesday.

• Fifteen roads were closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours even as the weather office issued a 'yellow' alert of heavy rain at isolated places for the next four days till July 28.

• In the wake of heavy rains in Kolhapur district of western Maharashtra, the Panchganga river was flowing just a few inches below the danger mark on Wednesday.

Heavy rainfall was recorded at several places in Rajasthan due to active monsoon on Wednesday.

During this period, the maximum rainfall of 120 mm was recorded in Sarmathura of Dholpur, 96 mm in Bahadurpur of Alwar, 85 mm in Rajgarh, 75 mm in Shahpura of Jaipur, 66 mm in Alwar and 51 mm in Goluwala of Hanumangarh.

• Rains lashed Delhi-NCR on Wednesday, causing waterlogging and traffic snarls across the city.

• The downpour, however, brought a much-needed relief from the heat as the maximum temperature dropped to 33.8 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's normal, the weather department said.

• The city has been put on a "yellow" alert till Thursday amid a forecast that rains will continue to lash the national capital till July 28.

Fifteen roads were closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh following heavy rainfall on Wednesday even as the weather office issued a 'yellow' alert of heavy rain at isolated places for the next four days till July 28.

A total of 15 roads -- 12 in Mandi, two in Kinnaur and one in Kangra district -- were closed for vehicular traffic, while 62 transformers were disrupted in the state, according to the state emergency operation centre.

The J&K’s twin capitals - Jammu and Srinagar- recorded similarly hot temperatures on Wednesday with Kashmir valley breaking this month’s record high temperatures in a decade, the meteorological centre said.

The centre said that Wednesday’s maximum temperatures in Jammu & Srinagar were the same at 35.6°C, which is 5.7°C above normal in Srinagar.

Heavy rainfall was recorded at several places in Delhi on Thursday.

Heavy rains in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, triggered a flood-like situation on Thursday.

So far, 49 persons have died in rain related incidents in the state, which has suffered losses of approximately Rs 389 crore in the ongoing monsoon season since June 27, the emergency operation centre said.

Vihar Lake, one of the seven lakes supplying water to the entire Mumbai area, started overflowing at around 3:50 am today as the area continues to receive heavy rainfall, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).

The Pune Fire Department has deployed an inflatable rubber boat to rescue stranded residents after heavy rainfall caused water to enter residential areas.

Three men died of electrocution in Maharashtra's Pune in the early hours of Thursday while trying to move their handcart that got submerged due to heavy rains, PTI reported.

The incident took place in the Deccan Gymkhana area. The three deceased, who sold egg dishes at their roadside handcart near the Baba Bhide bridge, a causeway. But after their cart went under water as a result of heavy rains, they visited the spot and tried to shift it to a safer place

However, the trio got electrocuted in the process.

In view of the heavy rains in many parts of the district and the Weather Department's forecast for more showers, the administration has declared a holiday today (July 25) for schools in Pune city, Pimpri Chinchwad, and the western parts of the district.

All schools and colleges in Palghar district closed after IMD issued an orange alert for today: Palghar Collector's Office

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “yellow” alert for the city till today amid a forecast that rains will continue to lash the capital till July 28.

Rain lashed parts of Delhi on Thursday morning and the minimum temperature settled at 26.2 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the season. The Safdarjung Observatory, the national capital's primary weather station, recorded 10.1 mm rainfall from 5.30 am to 8.30 am on Thursday.

A stretch of the National Highway-3 was closed for vehicular traffic following a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst in Himachal's Kullu district, police said on Thursday, PTI reported.

No casualty has so far been reported in the incident that occurred late Wednesday.

According to officials, the stretch between Dhundi and Palchan Bridge on NH-3, also known as Leh-Manali Road, was affected due to the cloudburst at Anjani Mahadev nullah in the Manali area. Read Full Report

With the record breaking temperatures at multiple places across Kashmir, there is a forecast of severe heat wave in some parts of the valley while some previous records may also get surpassed for the next four days.

However, Director of Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that there was no red alert as the mercury will settle around 35 to 36 degree Celsius.

Heavy rainfall in Mumbai caused significant disruptions at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, affecting flight operations. The poor visibility due to the downpour led to a brief suspension of flight operations at 10:36am.

Air India issued an advisory via social media, informing passengers that flights to and from Mumbai could be delayed due to the severe weather.

"Flights to and from Mumbai may get affected due to heavy rains. Guests are advised to start early for the airport, as slow traffic and waterlogging may delay movement," Air India said.

Four people died, schools were shut, while flood-like situations were also reported in parts of Maharashtra's Pune and its nearby areas like Pimpri Chinchwad, necessitating the deployment of inflatable rubber boats to rescue people after rainwater entered residential areas following torrential downpour.

Due to heavy overnight rains in Pune from Wednesday till Thursday, water entered the houses and buildings located in Ekta Nagri and Vitthal Nagar areas. The Pune Fire Department brought boats to evacuate the people from the residences.

Read All Pune Weather Updates Here

On the rainfall situation in Mumbai, Pune and Raigad districts, Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde said, ” There is water on the roads and in houses of people in Pune. There is a lot of rain at Khadakwasla Dam and in the catchment area. The District Collector, Municipal Commissioner, and Police Commissioner are on alert. Teams of NDRF teams & SDRF are deployed there. I have spoken to the Army to keep their teams on alert.”

The Andheri Subway in Mumbai has been closed for vehicular movement following waterlogging from the persistent rainfall.

According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, "Today's weather forecast at 8 am suggests moderate to heavy rain in the city and suburbs."

A small bridge between Kasbe Shivthar and Samarth Shivthar in Mahad MIDC police station limits has been washed away after heavy rains. "There is no passenger traffic in between, the lands of local farmers are on the other side of the bridge. However, the road has been barricaded as a safety measure," Raigad Police said.

A Central Railway spokesperson said on Thursday that due to low visibility as a result of heavy rains, the speed of suburban trains has been reduced.

Water started accumulating in railway tracks between Kurla and Ghatkopar stations from 10.30 am onwards, but it is still below the danger mark and hence all the suburban trains are running at reduced speed, he said.

Railway traffic on the Panvel-Karjat line has been suspended due to flooding in tracks, he added.

A red alert has been issued for Palghar, Thane, Mumbai, Pune, Sindhudurg, Raigad and Ratnagiri by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) over possibility of "heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places with extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places."

Heavy rains lashed Mumbai and its suburbs on Thursday, leading to waterlogging on roads in some areas that led to traffic snarls and also delayed local train operations.

Given the incessant rains in the catchment areas, Vihar and Modak Sagar lakes started overflowing. With this, four of the seven reservoirs providing potable water to the metropolis are now overflowing, which improved the overall water stock, officials said.

Amid heavy rain in Mumbai and disruptions at the airport, SpiceJet issued an advisory for its passengers, asking them to keep a check on the status of their flight.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said if the need arises, the rain-hit people will be airlifted in Pune, where incessant rains have claimed four lives and flooded residential colonies and houses in low-lying areas.

CM Shinde said he has spoken to the Pune district collector and civic body chiefs in the city and its neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad, an industrial township.

He has also spoken to officials of the Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to seek their help in the evacuation.

On cloudburst incident in Himachal Pradesh's Manali, Torul S Raveesh, Deputy Commissioner, Kullu said, "Last night there was a cloudburst near Anjani Mahadev due to which a large amount of water flowed into the Beas river. There has been a lot of damage in this incident in which three houses have been washed away and 1-2 houses have also been damaged."

"The victims are being temporarily sheltered in schools... Due to yesterday's incident, the tunnel route is closed... All traffic is being diverted from Rohtang Pass... Vehicles of essential services will be our priority... Tehsildar is present on the spot ..." she said.

The Manjara dam in Maharashtra’s Beed district, one of the three reservoirs in the Marathwada region where water stock had plunged to “zero per cent”, started receiving water after rains in its catchment, an official said on Thursday.

About 170 km away, the Vishnupuri dam in Nanded district is about 83 per cent full and its gates would be opened anytime depending on the inflow of water, said another official.

Besides Manjara, which supplies water to Latur city, Sina Kolegaon in Dharashiv district and Majalgaon in Beed have recorded a “zero per cent” stock, according to officials.

About 400 people were evacuated to safety on Thursday following flooding in Sinhagad Road and some other areas along the riverbank in Pune city due to incessant rains, officials said.

Two columns of the Army were deployed in Sinhagad Road area which was severely affected by flooding, a news agency PTI report cited officials.

Besides, teams of the NDRF, fire brigade as well as the district and city disaster management cells were pressed into service to carry out relief operations.

Water entered several housing societies and houses in low-lying areas along the Sinhagad Road. Cars and two-wheelers stood in water.

Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indian Army have reached Pune's Ekta Nagar to rescue locals stranded in inundated areas

On the situation arising due to heavy rains in the district, Collector and DM Rajkot, Prabhav Joshi said: "There has been heavy rainfall in Upleta and Dhoraji talukas of Rajkot district. I visited these areas to assess the damage suffered by farmers there. Help will be provided to them based on the survey by the district authorities."

With the IMD issuing a red alert for Mumbai amid heavy rains, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday declared holiday for all schools and colleges in the city.

The municipal corporation appealed to schools to inform parents and take necessary precautions, an official said.

Rains battered most parts of Maharashtra's Thane district on Thursday, leading to widespread flooding and necessitating rescue operations in Ambernath and some other areas.

In Ambernath, 18 elderly residents of Sahavas old age home were relocated to upper floors at another old age home in Maher. Similarly, 30 children and staff from Satkarma ashram were rescued and shifted to Pragati Andha Vidyalaya, according to a news agency PTI report.

As many as 200 persons were evacuated to BSUP building.

In Kalyan, 40 families, comprising 156 persons, were relocated as a precautionary measure.

Water levels exceeded the danger level in Badlapur barrage, Jambul dam, Mohane dam and Ulhas river in Kalyan, reports said.

As the lakes supplying water started to fill up fast amid heavy rains, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday announced withdrawal of the 10 percent water cut from July 29.

The decision was taken in view of the satisfactory rainfall in the catchment areas of the lakes.

The BMC, nonetheless, appealed people to use water judiciously.

The water cut in Thane, Bhiwandi cities and surrounding rural areas -- which also get water from the BMC -- too will be revoked.

An NDRF team has reached the site of the landslide in Lavasa. The road route to the landslide site has reportedly developed some cracks.

The Morya Gosavi Ganpati Mandir in Pimpri-Chinchwad has submerged in rain water as the region witnessed incessant downpour on Thursday.

WATCH:

The rescue team at the landslide site in Karnataka's Shirur village deployed a privately developed drone platform-based intelligent underground buried object detection system on Thursday to help them find the missing lorry driver from Kerala.

lnwork Technologies, a partner firm of Quick Pay Pvt Ltd in Noida, has developed this system, which allegedly can operate under adverse conditions and detect buried objects such as weapons caches, mines, tunnels, bodies and other foreign objects up to a depth of 30 meters in soil and water.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Thursday said that flood and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall have wreaked havoc in the state as the current monsoon season has been "terrible", unlike previous years.

Responding to a question from BJP MLA Pani Taram during the question hour in the assembly, Khandu said 33 roads and 13 bridges in Kurung Kumey district were severely damaged due to the natural calamities on June 30.

“To ensure that people have access to medicines and food, the Public Works Department (PWD) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) are working to restore road connectivity,” the chief minister was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

As heavy rainfall lashed Pune city, NDRF teams have been engaged in rescuing people from housing societies and low-lying areas. The NDRF teams are using boats to transport people from the affected areas.

At least two persons are feared trapped after a landslide hit three bungalows in Lavasa city in Pune on Thursday amid heavy rainfall.

A team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administration personnel are engaged in a search and rescue operation at the landslide site, police said.

Pune collector Suhas Divase said that the district administration is keeping a close watch on the rescue efforts.

The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation, in a release, said that it was suspending services on at least a dozen routes in the district as water was flowing above bridge decks.

These includes routes in Murbad, Wada, Thane, Kalyan and Vithalwadi depots.

Amid heavy rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has announced a holiday for all schools in Mumbai for July 26, Friday.