Six die in rains lashing India’s business hub

30/08/2017

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Indians wade through a flooded street during heavy rain showers in Mumbai on Aug 29. Heavy rain brought India’s financial capital Mumbai to a virtual standstill on Aug 29, flooding streets, causing transport chaos and prompting warnings to stay indoors. Dozens of flights and local train services were cancelled as rains lashed the coastal city of nearly 20 million people. (AFP)

Two toddlers were among at least six people who died after floods caused by heavy seasonal monsoon rains destroyed homes and disrupted traffic in India’s financial capital, police said on Wednesday. Train services resumed slowly and dozens of commuters began walking to work in Mumbai, a city of 20 million people that is home to India’s two biggest stock exchanges and the headquarters of several major companies.

Some low-lying areas remained under water, causing vehicle pileups, after the city received nearly a month’s equivalent of rainfall in a single day. Authorities ordered schools and colleges to shut following forecasts of more rain. “There are several stranded cars and two-wheelers on the roads that we are clearing,” said traffic police official Amitesh Kumar.

Police said a 45-year-old woman and a 1-1/2-year-old child, members of the same family, died after their home in the northeastern suburb of Vikhroli crumbled late on Tuesday, while a 2-year-old girl died in a wall collapse. In the neighbouring city of Thane, three people died after being swept away by floods, police added. (RTRS)

This news has been read 6805 times!

30/08/2017