Nisarga changes track, Mumbai escapes damage
Severe cyclonic storm hits south of Alibag in Raigad district between 12.30pm and 2.30pm; intense rain in state capital
MUMBAI:The capital city of Maharashtra was left largely unscathed by Nisarga, the severe cyclonic storm that made landfall in the coastal district of Raigad between Srivardhan and Murud from 12.30pm to 2.30 pm Wednesday, even though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted very heavy rainfall and a likely storm surge that was expected to cause inundation in low-lying areas of the city.
Concerns were raised over whether the health care infrastructure of Mumbai, one of the worst affected cities in the coronavirus pandemic, would be able to cope with devastation. Some of the low-lying areas in the city, including Dadar, Worli, Mahim, fall in wards that have the highest number of Covid-19 cases.
“The cyclone was anticipated to reach north of Mumbai two days ago but it changed track to south of Mumbai since it hit south of Alibag in Raigad district. As a result the intensity of rain was witnessed in southern part of Mumbai,” Mahesh Palawat, vice president, climate and meteorology, Skymet Weather.
IMD director general M Mohapatra said that the forecast of the cyclone track was accurate, however, since the landfall happened at least 75 km south of Alibag, in Diveagar, the effect on Mumbai was further diminished, sparing the city of devastation. However, the forecast for Mumbai as provided by the met department on Tuesday — which included extremely heavy rains (20cm) and possible inundation — allowed the municipal body to make adequate preparations in case the landfall had happened closer to Alibag.
“The cyclone track has been the same as forecast by us. It made landfall south of Alibag. T Of course it passed over Mumbai. We never said that Nisarga will hit Mumbai directly but Mumbai has been impacted by the severe cyclone,” he said.
“This could have been very bad. Winds were very strong but rainfall was moderate which probably saved Mumbai,” said Mumbai’s deputy director general of meteorology K S Hosalikar.
BMC reported at least 117 tree fall complaints on Wednesday. Nine incidents of walls of homes crumbling were also recorded.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had on Tuesday activated its disaster management plan, evacuating nearly 20,000 residents of many low-lying areas. Over 500 emergency response team members from NDRF, Mumbai Fire Brigade and the BMC were on standby, an additional five NDRF teams of 45 members each were airlifted from Andhra Pradesh.
The Chhattrapati Shivaji International airport, which had shut operations for three hours during the day, resumed flights at 6pm. The municipal body said that the disaster response machinery will remain on high alert for the next few days until the cyclonic effect has passed from the city. Section 144, imposed in Mumbai will be effective till noon on June 4.