Maharashtra rains: Group of picnickers rescued from hill in rain-soaked Navi Mumbai

Mumbai and its adjoining areas has been witnessing intense spells of rains. Pic/Shadab Khan

A group of as many as 60 picnickers were on Sunday rescued after they were stuck in gushing water on a hill in Belapur node of Navi Mumbai amid heavy Maharashtra rains, officials said, reported the PTI.

According to the PTI, Navi Mumbai received 83.38 mm of rainfall in five hours ended at 1:30 PM on Sunday, causing water-logging in several areas in Vashi, Nerul and Sanpada.

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The officials said approximately 60 picnickers were stuck on the hill located behind Artist Colony in Belapur.

After receiving the information, teams of fire brigade, police and Navi Mumbai disaster management personnel rushed to the spot, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation PRO said.

Watch video of the rescue operations below:

"The rescue operation was carried out using ropes," he said, adding a few people are trapped in the water behind an industrial unit in Turbhe area, also in Navi Mumbai, and efforts are on to rescue them safely.

Heavy rains are lashing Mumbai and the metropolitan region since the early morning hours, causing inundation in several areas.

Mumbai on Sunday witnessed heavy rains, disrupting flight operations and inundating roads in many parts of the city, the officials said.

Flight operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were suspended twice for a brief period due to inclement weather and low visibility amid Mumbai rains, a source told the PTI.

At least 15 flights were diverted to the nearby airports, mainly Ahmedabad, till 4 pm. As intermittent heavy spells of rain hit the city, runway operations were suspended at 12.12 pm for eight minutes and from 1 pm to 1.15 pm, the source said.

Flights of IndiGo, Air India, Vistara and Akasa were diverted, it was stated.

In a post on X, the Air India stated, "Heavy rains in Mumbai are affecting flight operations and resulting in cancellation and diversion of some of our flights. Air India is offering full refunds or a one-time complimentary rescheduling for bookings confirmed for travel on 21st July 2024."

Meanwhile, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city received 82 mm of rain, the eastern suburbs 96 mm, and the western suburbs got 90 mm till 4 pm.

(with PTI inputs)