In Mumbai, 3 persons died, and 59 others were injured today after a 100-foot-tall billboard was uprooted and fell on a petrol pump and nearby houses at the Cheddanagar Junction in the Ghatkopar area. Meanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath has announced immediate assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who have died. Shinde, who went to the spot and inspected the situation, said that the government will bear all the expenses for the treatment of the injured.
He also said that instructions have been given to the Municipal Commissioner to conduct a special audit of all hoardings in Mumbai and take action against those responsible for illegal hoardings.
CM Shinde also informed that a case of culpable homicide has been registered against those responsible for this incident. At present, the rescue work is going on by prioritizing how to safely evacuate the citizens trapped under this board.
Shinde also said that instructions have been given to the administration to take appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The billboard was uprooted due to heavy rainfall and strong winds that lashed parts of Mumbai and neighbouring metropolitan areas today evening. Police and NDRF have been deployed to rescue people who have been trapped. Ambulances have been pressed into service. The injured have been admitted to nearby hospitals.
The unseasonal rainfall also adversely affected flight, metro and local train services in the city. At least 15 flights were diverted at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after flight operations were temporarily suspended due to low visibility. Operations at the airport resumed at around 5pm.
While the unseasonal showers brought some respite from the scorching heat, power outages were reported in Kalwa in Thane district and some other areas.
Apart from this, incidents of trees falling were also reported in some places.
Rains coupled with gusty winds were witnessed in the suburbs of Dadar, Kurla, Mahim, Ghatkopar, Mulund and Vikhroli, while parts of south Mumbai saw drizzles. The satellite towns of Thane, Ambernath, Badlapur, Kalyan and Ulhasnagar also received moderate showers with gusty winds.
Disclaimer: This press release is sourced from News On AIR, Prasar Bharti and Press Information Bureau India (PIB).
