BMC said it received 423 complaints related to fallen trees or branches and 29 complaints of wall or house collapses across Mumbai.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Disaster Control Room in Mantralaya to assess the flood and landslide situation after incessant rain battered several parts of the state, leaving at least seven people dead in rain-related incidents in Mumbai, ANI reported.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a “Red Warning” for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Pune and the Ghats of Nashik, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 60-70 kmph.Addressing reporters after the meeting, Fadnavis cautioned citizens about a high tide expected at 3pm and warned that heavy rainfall during the high tide period could lead to severe waterlogging.“Mumbai will have high tide from 3 pm onwards today. If it rains heavily during the time of high tide, we will experience waterlogging. Fierce winds are expected post noon, which is likely to cross 60 to 70 km per hour. People from landslide-prone areas have been evacuated. Nashik is identified as the high alert zone for tomorrow,” the chief minister said.He also confirmed that schools and colleges would remain closed.According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), six people died after a building collapsed in Mankhurd, while a 63-year-old man was killed in Kurla (West) after a tree fell on a road near Nehru Nagar, ANI reported.The civic body said it received 423 complaints related to fallen trees or branches and 29 complaints of wall or house collapses across Mumbai. In Jogeshwari, seven people were injured after a tree crashed onto a house, while two others sustained injuries in a similar incident in Worli.Heavy rainfall also disrupted transport services across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. Central Railway services between Karjat and Khopoli remained suspended, while Western Railway services between Vasai and Virar were also halted.Fadnavis said Palghar and the Vasai-Virar belt were among the worst-affected areas.“Railways from Gujarat toward Mumbai are badly affected, and passengers are being diverted through the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway. Raigad also has very heavy rainfall. The coastal belt, as well as Lonavala and Mahabaleshwar, will experience heavy downpour. Savitri River is overflowing,” he said.The Mumbai-Pune Highway remained partially operational with traffic moving slowly on three lanes.Meanwhile, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said restoration work at railway sections affected by landslides was being carried out on a war footing despite adverse weather conditions and difficult terrain. Railway teams have deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and restore services, ANI reported.The BMC has appealed to citizens to remain indoors unless travel is absolutely necessary, particularly during the high tide period. It also advised people to stay away from waterlogged areas and unstable structures as Mumbai braces for further spells of intense rainfall, ANI reported.(With agency inputs)

Delta run by Jaydev Mody owns casinos in Goa and Sikkim and is described as the only publicly listed companies in the regulated casino gaming field.

MUMBAI: Bombay high court intervened in a gaming and hospitality company Delta Corp’s challenge to an April action by Meta Platforms Inc of suspending eight of its official IG handles passed interim directions that the content on these handles be preserved till the dispute is resolved. Justice Abhay Ahuja on July 2 passed interim orders directing Meta to preserve contents of the suspended handles of Delta.Delta’s suit contended the suspension was sans notice or intimation and arbitrary thus raising questions of accountability and transparency of digital intermediaries when taking enforcement action against legitimate businesses.Delta run by Jaydev Mody owns casinos in Goa and Sikkim and is described as the only publicly listed companies in the regulated casino gaming field.Meta failed to follow its own published enforcement framework, which contemplates graded action and notice before disabling accounts, even as alleged fraudulent impersonator pages using the “Deltin” brand continue to remain active on the platform, Delta claimed in its suit filed through Solicitor Rahul Dwarkadas of RJD And Partners.Seeking urgent relief, before Justice Ahuja Delta’s counsel Kunal Dwarkadas submitted that post filing of suit Meta went ahead and suspended one more of Delta’s handles online. He sought to amend an interim plea to challenge that too.Counsel Rishabh Jaisani for Meta didn’t object to the amendment, and sought time to file a reply.Dwarkadas said pending reply from Meta, the content of the handles ought not to be deleted, as rules mandate auto-deletion after 90 days of suspension.Jaisani said Rule 3(1)(g) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, would apply and contents stand preserved for 180 days.Dwarkadas said the 180-day rule would kick in only when another rule 3(1)(b) is attracted, which requires intermediaries to exercise ‘reasonable efforts by itself’ to prevent users from hosting or sharing certain categories of content.The handles are used for business events and updates, share hospitality content and guest experience, argued DeltaJustice Ahuja asked the Meta counsel whether the global tech giant would sans reference to any rules make a statement not to delete the contents pending the hearing before the court.The counsel expressed reservation saying the reply would set out how section 3(1) (b) applies. The court then posted the matter on august 6 and restrained Meta from deleting Delta’s contents.

Three Dubai-owned vessels, previously implicated in a fuel theft and smuggling racket, are in distress off Mumbai’s coast

MUMBAI: An unmanned Nicaragua-flagged merchant tanker, MT Al Jafzia, ran aground near Manori Island on Sunday after its anchor chain snapped amid rough weather, while two other anchored vessels drifted closer to the coast, officials said.The other two vessels — Mali-flagged bitumen tanker MT Asphalt Star and Iranian-flagged tanker MT Stellar Ruby — were dragged by strong winds and rough seas, drifting to around 11 nautical miles (20.3 km) off Manori Island, police said.The Indian Coast Guard deployed INS Samrat, INS Samudra Prahari, and the Directorate General of Shipping’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) to monitor the situation, while Gorai police remained in coordination with the Coast Guard.Local fishermen said it was unsafe to approach the vessels in small boats because of high winds, rough seas and the rocky coastline.The incident involves the same three Dubai-owned vessels that were intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard in February 2026 over an alleged fuel theft and Iranian bitumen smuggling racket. Authorities had alleged the ships carried out illegal mid-sea ship-to-ship transfers of Iranian bitumen and fuel while switching off tracking systems and operating despite OFAC sanctions.Following a tip-off, the Coast Guard detained MT Asphalt Star, MT Stellar Ruby and MT Al Jafzia within Indian territorial waters. An FIR was registered on February 15 against the shipowner and eight others under multiple laws, including the Customs Act, Petroleum Act, Essential Commodities Act, Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, before the vessels were handed over to Yellow Gate Police.The shipowners later approached the Bombay High Court seeking permission to move the vessels. In May, the court allowed only MT Al Jafzia to be shifted to the Alang shipyard in Gujarat after obtaining all necessary clearances, while refusing permission for the other two vessels as the investigation into them was still underway.Investigators also alleged the three ships repeatedly changed their identities to evade coastal enforcement agencies. After the owners abandoned the vessels and deserted their crews, the Bombay High Court ordered the rescue and repatriation of 50 stranded Indian seafarers in May.

Mumbai faces severe disruption as heavy rains and strong winds prompt authorities to advise private offices to enable work-from-home.

MUMBAI: With heavy rain lashing Mumbai and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing a red alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday advised private companies to allow employees to work from home wherever possible and announced a half-day for government and semi-government offices, excluding essential services.The IMD has forecast extremely heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds of 80-90 kmph across Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts.In an advisory posted on X, the SDMA urged private establishments to adopt work-from-home arrangements wherever feasible. Employees of government and semi-government offices not engaged in essential services have been granted a half-day after noon.Authorities also appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel, stay indoors unless absolutely necessary and follow official advisories as heavy rain continued to disrupt normal life across Mumbai and neighbouring areas.Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan urged people to remain indoors and avoid travel unless essential, saying the weather posed a serious risk to life and property.“People should not venture out today. Please do not go out for tourism. We will soon announce the closure of offices, schools and colleges,” Mahajan told reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan.Responding to the Opposition’s criticism following a landslide at the Mumbai-Pune Expressway’s Missing Link project, the minister appealed against politicising the situation.“We can do politics after two days. Right now, everyone should support the government,” he said.Mahajan said wind speeds, which reached 50-60 kmph on Sunday, were expected to increase to 70-90 kmph on Monday, raising the risk of falling trees and damage to vehicles and infrastructure.“Trees have fallen in several parts of Mumbai and vehicles have been damaged. There is also a threat to life in such conditions. Do not step out without a compelling reason,” he said, warning that police could take strict action if people ignored safety restrictions.The minister added that it would take another three to four days of sustained rainfall to significantly improve water levels in reservoirs across Maharashtra, although the government remained optimistic about good rainfall in the catchment areas. He also noted that increasingly intense rainfall and strong winds in recent years have posed growing challenges for Mumbai.

MUMBAI: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a ‘red’ alert for Mumbai, Thane and Raigad districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The weather office also urged people to avoid unnecessary travel as conditions were expected to remain severe through the day.The MeT department upgraded the warning from ‘orange’ to ‘red’ in the morning after observing rapidly changing weather conditions. It also forecast gusty winds reaching up to 70–80 kmph across the region.Neighbouring Palghar district has been placed under an ‘orange’ alert, with predictions of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places along with strong winds.Flooding risk, landslides and structural damage warning issuedThe IMD warned that intense rainfall may inundate low-lying and urban areas, trigger flash floods and riverine flooding, and cause waterlogging on roads and bridges.It further cautioned that weak trees could be uprooted, while old or poorly maintained structures may face damage. Landslides, mudslides and rockfalls were also flagged as possible risks in vulnerable pockets due to continuous rainfall.WFH advisory, half-day for government officesThe State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) advised private offices in Mumbai to allow employees to work from home wherever feasible. It also announced a half-day for non-essential and semi-government offices after noon.Residents were urged to remain indoors unless travel was essential and to strictly follow official advisories as heavy rainfall continued to disrupt normal life across the city and surrounding areas.Akasa Air reports potential flight delays due to heavy rain in Mumbai, Pune, Goa;Heavy rainfall across Mumbai, Pune, and Goa has disrupted air travel, with Akasa Air warning that flights across its network may face delays. The airline acknowledged the inconvenience caused to passengers’ travel plans and requested patience, noting that while the situation is beyond its control, its teams remain ready to assist travellers.In a post on X, Akasa Air urged passengers to check their flight status on the airline’s official website.“Due to heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Pune and Goa, some flights across our network may be delayed. We realise that this may inconvenience your travel plans and seek your patience and understanding. While this situation is completely beyond our control, please rest assured that our teams are always ready to assist you. Please check the flight status http://bit.ly/qpfltsts before commencing your travel to the airport,” he said.IndiGo posts, “Travel Advisory Bad weather over Mumbai may impact flight schedules. We are closely monitoring the weather and doing our best to get you where you need to be, safely and smoothly. We request that you stay updated on your flight status via our website or app. Please be assured that our teams are here to assist you at every step and provide full support. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”Dabbawalas suspend services amid transport disruptionMumbai’s iconic dabbawalas suspended their services for the day due to heavy rainfall and disruption in train operations.The Mumbai Dabbawalas Association said food delivery and pickup operations were halted as Western Railway services were severely affected, making deliveries unfeasible.Train services hit as landslides disrupt Mumbai–Pune routeIntermittent heavy rain and gusty winds disrupted rail and road connectivity, with several train services on the Mumbai–Pune route suspended after landslides in the Karjat–Lonavala Bhor Ghat section.Suburban services on the Karjat–Khopoli section were also suspended after heavy rain washed away ballast between Lowjee and Dolavli stations. Restoration work is underway, railway officials said.Western Railway suburban services also ran behind schedule due to waterlogging between Vasai Road and Virar stations in Palghar district, affecting daily commuters.Authorities urge caution and safety measuresThe IMD advised commuters to check traffic updates before travelling and avoid sheltering under trees or weak structures during thunderstorms.It also recommended farmers to harvest mature crops early, store produce safely, and avoid irrigation or chemical spraying during the heavy rainfall period.The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) urged residents to avoid non-essential movement, stay away from waterlogged areas, trees, hoardings and dilapidated structures, and not to park vehicles under trees.The civic body said nearly 15,000 personnel have been deployed across Mumbai for emergency response and monitoring, while its helpline 1916 remains active for assistance.Important safety advisory issued by BMC for construction sites.In view of prevailing weather conditions with wind speed of 70 to 80 kmph all Developers, Architect Licensed Surveyors (LS), Contractors, Project Managers & Site Engineers are hereby strictly directed to follow following instructions:1) Scaffolding, loose materials, crane items, tin sheets at compound walls, formwork and all temporary structures shall be thoroughly checked and ensured to be in stable, secure condition.Loose materials from upper floors, terraces and elevated platforms shall be removed or firmly fastened.2) There shall be no haphazard activity at any site. All work shall be planned, supervised and executed in a safe, systematic manner.Excavated construction sites to be properly safeguarded and strictly monitored.3) Tower cranes, material hoists, safety nets and lifting equipment shall be inspected for stability. Lifting operations and work at heights shall be suspended where weather poses risk. Exclusion zones shall be maintained below active work areas.4) All workers shall use prescribed PPE and fall protection. An immediate site-wide safety inspection shall be conducted and all unsafe conditions rectified without delay.5) Weather conditions shall be continuously monitored and appropriate preventive measures taken until normal conditions return.All concerned are strictly directed to treat this advisory with utmost urgency. Safety compliance is mandatory.The safety of workers, neighbouring residents and the general public is of paramount importance. All developers are requested to treat this advisory with utmost seriousness and ensure strict compliance with all applicable safety regulations and best construction practices.

Heavy rainfall has caused significant disruptions on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old highway, leading to traffic suspension.

PUNE/MUMBAI: Traffic on both the Pune-Mumbai Expressway and the old Pune-Mumbai highway was suspended on Monday after incessant rain triggered flooding, waterlogging and a landslide, severely disrupting connectivity between the two cities.Authorities urged commuters to avoid all non-essential travel until further orders, citing safety concerns. In a public advisory, police said traffic in both directions on the expressway and the old highway would remain suspended until the situation improves.“Citizens are requested not to undertake any journey between Pune and Mumbai until further directions are issued. Those planning to travel are advised to postpone their journey and follow traffic advisories issued by government agencies,” the advisory said.Police said flood-like conditions had developed in parts of Maval and Tamhini Ghat, affecting alternate routes as well.The Pune-Mumbai Expressway was shut between the Connecting Link and Missing Link sections after a concrete pillar fell onto the carriageway following a landslide. The old Pune-Mumbai highway was also closed after overflowing water inundated multiple stretches.A landslide was also reported near Patan village close to Lohgad Fort, where a family was feared trapped. Rescue teams were rushed to the spot.With heavy rain continuing to lash the district, the Pune administration declared a holiday for all schools on Monday.Meanwhile, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) said traffic on the Pune-to-Mumbai carriageway of the 13-km Missing Link alignment had been diverted from around 4 am after a landslide near the exit of Tunnel 2. The Missing Link, inaugurated two months ago, bypasses the Khandala Ghat section, reducing the travel distance by about 6 km and saving 25-30 minutes.MSRDC said it was closely monitoring the situation in coordination with the Highway Traffic Police and advised motorists to avoid travelling on the route unless absolutely necessary.The closure left hundreds of commuters stranded. A motorist travelling from Sangli to Mumbai said he had been stuck near Lonavala since around 4 am after Mumbai-bound traffic was diverted from the Missing Link.“As the Missing Link was closed, we came via Lonavala and are now caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic on the Expressway through the town,” he said.The Highway Traffic Police control room said waterlogging and landslide-related disruptions in the Khandala Ghat section continued to hamper traffic movement, with restoration dependent on weather conditions and debris clearance.

The city witnessed triple-digit rains in the last five days, with July 4-5 recording the highest rainfall so far since the monsoon’s arrival.

MUMBAI: As persistent showers broke a five-decade-old record in the island city amid unusually strong winds across Mumbai, a tragedy struck Mankhurd late Sunday when a four-storey structure collapsed onto an adjoining shanty, killing 6 people, including five children, and injuring one woman.Munaf (7), Aliya (7), Muskan (14), Nihal (6), Nabiya (2) and Soni (32) were rushed to two hospitals, where they were declared brought dead. Four of the deceased belonged to one family, said sources.During the day, 203 tree collapses were reported across the city. Two such tree falls caused deaths: an 18-year-old biker from Sakinaka was killed by a tree branch in Aarey Colony Saturday night, and a 63-year-old BKC resident was killed by a branch while opening his shop in Kurla Sunday morning.Last week, a 11-year-old boy died after a tree fell on his school van in Chembur.As wind speeds crossed 70kmph in the island city and 75kmph in suburbs like Bandra-they typically touch up to 30-40kmph during active monsoon conditions-flight operations were affected at the city airport Sunday.

5 kids among Mankhurd victims

The continuous rainfall led to Colaba logging its wettest July day in over 50 years at 265. 6mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8. 30am Sunday.The previous high was 417. 2mm on July 31, 1975. IMD’s Santacruz observatory-Mumbai’s benchmark-recorded 227. 7mm, its second-highest 24-hour rainfall for the month in five years.IMD has issued an orange alert predicting heavy rain for Monday. Consequently, a holiday has been declared for schools and colleges across MMR.

Mumbai records triple-digit rain for 5th day in row

The city witnessed triple-digit rains in the last five days, with July 4-5 recording the highest rainfall so far since the monsoon’s arrival.Since July 1, Santacruz has logged 805.6 mm rain till Sunday night, or around 94% of average monthly rain of 855.7 mm, while Colaba exceeded its July average of 734.1 mm and touched 744.2 mm.With IMD forecasting another spell of heavy rain on Monday and issuing an orange alert for Mumbai, meteorologists said the city could achieve its average rainfall for the entire month within the next two to three days. Rains are expected to ease mostly by July 8 when a moderate rain forecast has been issued.All through Sunday, heavy rain continued to lash most areas of the city, with the Colaba and Santacruz observatories recording 49mm and 66mm of rain in the 12 hours ending 8. 30pm.Other parts of MMR, too, saw intense rain activity over the weekend. Belapur received its highest single-day rainfall of the season at 303mm, leading to lowlying areas being submerged and traffic snarls.Navi Mumbai on average logged 210. 76mm, Thane 184. 66mm, Ambernath 186mm, Ulhasnagar 168mm, Murbad 137mm, Bhiwandi 129mm, Kalyan 101mm and Shahapur 78mm in the 12 hours ending 8. 30pm. Vasai recorded 179mm and Palghar 273mm.Of the four monsoon months, July is the wettest, having crossed the 1,000mm mark most years.