Amid gusty winds, portion of DY Patil stadium falls, 3 JNPT cranes collapse
NAVIMUMBAI: A portion of the roof of DY Patil Stadium in Nerul collapsed due to incessant rain and strong winds on Wednesday afternoon. Three cranes also collapsed in Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), while a mobile tower fell on the old Vashi bridge. However, no injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
Reports of several tree falls, vehicle damage and waterlogging leading to major traffic jams across the city were reported on Wednesday. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) reported over 80mm rainfall and more than 40 tree and branches fall cases during the day. The city received 62.42mm rainfall between 3pm and 6.30pm.
Navi Mumbai police commissioner Sanjay Kumar said, “There was huge damage to the iconic DY Patil Stadium as a portion of its roof behind the audience section collapsed. Three cranes at JNPT in Uran collapsed on the jetty due to the strong wind. A mobile tower fell on the old Vashi creek bridge leading to a traffic jam. There were no injuries in any of the cases.”
The traffic on the old Vashi Bridge, which is used by commuters travelling from Mumbai to Vashi, was brought under control several minutes after the incident. However, several areas, including Palm Beach Road, saw traffic coming to a halt due to bikers slipping and autorickshaws overturning due to strong winds
Roofs of around 15 hutments in the quarry area of Mahatma Gandhi Nagar in Nerul were blown away, leaving more than 50 residents shelterless. NMMC later shifted them to a civic school.
NMMC commissioner Abhijit Bangar reviewed the situation and directed the disaster management cell to immediately remove trees and branches to ensure free flow of traffic.
Several vehicles, including ones parked inside housing premises, were damaged in the city due to incidents of tree fall.
“To ensure speedy relief to the residents we have help centres at