Mumbai monsoon: Over 200 mm rainfall cripples life in Vasai and Virar

Incessant rain has thrown the life out of gear in Vasai Virar and Nalasopara of Palghar district with waterlogging in most of the roads on Wednesday Motorists had a tough time negotiating potholes on the flooded roads Fortunately no casualties were reported from these placesLocals wade through kneedeep water at Vasai SuncityOfficegoers were seen waiting at autorickshaw stands holding umbrellas but since the roads are waterlogged fewer public transport options were available in Virar Vegetable vendors too were scant in the semiurban areas as buyers preferred to stay indoors amid the heavy downpoursAlso read Mumbai gets 30 per cent of total rain already IMD predicts heavy rain for next 4 daysScene near VIVA college Virar West on WednesdayUjjwala Bhagat tahsildar Vasai Taluka said Virar received 253 mm of rain on Wednesday while Vasai recorded a rainfall of 201 mmMotorists had a tough time negotiating this stretch on Achole Road Nalasopara EastldquoRain is a spoiler My fruits would be wasted because these cannot be stored further as these are fully ripened mangoeshellipbut the buyers are not stepping out of their home due to heavy rainfallrdquo said Sadique Ansari braving the inclement weather with an umbrella in the market in Virar All connecting roads to the market were inundatedOne team of NDRF has been kept on standbyPalghar Collector Manikrao Gursal told midday that personnel from the National Disaster Response Force NDRF had been called in and they were camping at a ldquostrategicrdquo location for quick deployment across VasaiVirar and PalgharDahanuldquoThe rain creates havoc in the area but there is nothing to worry about as we have made all the arrangements to safeguard people The alert has been sounded for July 8 and one team of NDRF has been camping in Manor from where they can easily move anywhere in the districtrdquo said GursalAuthorities have urged the public to stay away from the serene beaches of Palghar that attract Mumbaikars in droves saying they can prove deadlyldquoI would like to advise tourists to be careful of the rainfall and high tide The owners of resorts nearby sea beaches have been told to discourage tourists from entering the seawater if itrsquos a high tide or heavy rainfall The municipal corporations in VasaiVirar area are doing good If anyone is in distress they can approach the local authority to seek immediate assistance in the monsoonrdquo Gursal addedVasai Virar City Municipal Corporation chief Anil Kumar Pawar visited a few flooded spots on Wednesday evening to take stock of the situation253mmRainfall in Virar on Wednesday