Holiday for Mumbai schools, colleges amid IMD red alert; bus with 6 students narrowly escapes mishap

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, and predicted heavy rains at several places in Mumbai, alarming the BMC to close all educational institutions for today, reported by PTI.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai for the afternoon session, the report stated.

In a narrow escape, a school bus carrying six children and two staff members got stuck on a waterlogged path in Mumbai amid the heavy rain warning. No casualties were reported as police rushed to the spot and rescued them, as per another PTI report.

Taking to the official X account, the Mumbai Police in a post, said: "Our officials and staff are on high alert and ready to assist. In case of any emergency, please dial 100 / 112 / 103. Your safety always comes first.”

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Very heavy rain, gusty winds by night: IMD

As per the official order, stated in the report, several low-lying areas in Andheri Subway and Lokhandwala Complex have been accumulating water, affecting the traffic movement. Local trains in these areas are running late by 8 to 10 minutes but there was no suspension of services, it added.

"A low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and formation of the east-west shear zone along with cyclonic circulation has combinedly resulted into Maharashtra's coastal areas, including Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts, receiving heavy rainfall. The IMD has issued red alerts for these districts for today and tomorrow," the report stated, quoting IMD's Mumbai Regional Meteorological Centre head Shubhangi Bhute.

The island city has been experiencing heavy pouring for three consecutive days, resulting in reduced visibility and causing slow-moving traffic, according to the motorists in a report by the Hindustan Times.

The BMC has appealed to the residents of Mumbai to step out ‘only if necessary’ and the IMD has asked the fishermen not to venture into the Arabian Sea, the PTI report added. The IMD has also predicted moderate to heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs, alerting the authorities with the possibility of very heavy rain and gusty winds by night.

The Mumbai civic body has issued a disaster control helpline 196 in case of emergencies or for official updates.