8 dead as massive dust storm brings down hoarding in Mumbai; gusts lash Gujarat
The ffrst rains of the season arrived in Mumbai on Monday with a massive dust storm that in₹icted heavy damage in parts of the city. At least eight persons have been reported dead and 74 injured.
The deaths took place when a hoarding collapsed in the Chheda Nagar area of the city. “It was triggered by strong winds, and at least 100 people are likely to be trapped. A search and rescue operation is under way,” said a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) oficial.
BMC oficials said they will register a complaint against Railways and M/S Ego Media, the advertising agency that had put up the hoarding. “The hoarding was placed illegally on railway land. We had informed Railways about the legal concerns, but they didn’t do anything about it. We have issued notice to the agency to remove all its hoardings for not having valid BMC permission,” said BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani.
However, a Central Railway oficial said the hoarding was not on railway land. “It is not in any way related to Indian Railways.”
The heavy showers and dust storm also disrupted public transport services in Mumbai. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport witnessed 15 diversions, while local train services as well as bus services suffered disruptions.
Parts of Gujarat, including Ahmedabad and capital Gandhinagar, also witnessed dust storms, thunderstorms and heavy rain. Several billboards and trees were damaged. Strong winds and dust storms also affected other parts of the State, including Amreli, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha. However, oficials said there were no reports of any casualties in the State.
The Meteorological Department has forecast light rain with thunderstorms in several districts in the next three days.