Maha CM: Govt closely monitoring situation

NAGPUR: The Maharashtra government is keeping a close watch on the situation in Mumbai and its neighbouring areas, especially in Palghar district, following heavy rains, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Tuesday.

Palghar district has received unprecedented rainfall, he said in the Legislative Assembly here.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the Navy are on standby. The state disaster management cell is conducting operations on the ground, Fadnavis informed the House.

The Palghar district administration is on alert and arrangements are being made to help the affected people, he said.

The chief minister said in Mumbai, waterlogging has been reported from 11 places and traffic diverted in three areas.

Due to waterlogging in the Vasai-virar area, the suburban western railway line has been affected, Fadnavis said.

Currently, there is a high tide (off the coast of Mumbai), he said, adding that suction pumps are functioning at full capacity.

The chief minister said an additional 150 pumps have been deployed to drain out rain water from flooded areas.

“The state administration is monitoring the situation and keeping a close watch to ensure people do not face any hardship,” Fadnavis said.

He said if necessary, a holiday will be declared for schools as the weather department has predicted very heavy rains for the next three to four days.