Heavy pre-monsoon rain hits Mumbai's local train service, delays flights, adds to traffic snarls

Pre-monsoon showers on Saturday may have relieved Mumbaikars of the heat and unbearable humidity but it also proved fatal for two children and an adult. It caused traffic jams, delayed flights, and revealed BMC is not ready for the monsoon season yet.

According to a report by India.com, a lot of domestic flights, cargo flights, international flights were either delayed, disrupted or halted at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. 

Media reports said that the runway was briefly shut down and a Colombo-Mumbai flight of Sri Lankan Airways was diverted to Ahmedabad.

It wasn't easy for local train commuters. A circuit was tripped because of the rain on Western Railway services between Bhayandar and Virar stations. This forced the trains to stand still for some time. At least four trains were cancelled.

The showers caused water-logging in the city, slowing down the evening traffic. Lightning and heavy winds accompanied the rains.

Bishwombhar Singh, director-in-charge, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, Mumbai said pre-monsoon showers hit the city and other parts of Maharashtra as well.
"Monsoon is yet to arrive in the state. Pre-monsoon activities are currently seen in entire Maharashtra including Mumbai and Thane," he said.

(With PTI Inputs)