Bombay High Court Shuts Down, High Tide Warning Issued

Mumbai:  All government schools in Mumbai were closed and offices were almost deserted as heavy rain crippled India’s financial capital. Political events were also cancelled.

The University of Mumbai has cancelled its exams. The Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court has declared a holiday.

Mumbai’s civic agency warned people against going out unless absolutely necessary. They also urged parents not to send children to school; many private schools are yet to announce a holiday.

Parties like the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party cancelled their press briefings anticipating poor attendance.

In 24 hours, the city has been battered by above average rainfall. People have been warned about a high tide of 4.6 metres at 1.57 pm.

Large parts of Mumbai, including the central, western and eastern suburbs, are flooded, and traffic has come to a standstill. Train services have been badly hit; the harbour line has been completely suspended and train services have been stopped between the busy CST or Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Kurla suburb on the Central line.

The city’s BEST buses have also changed their routes in view of flooding and heavy water-logging reported at several areas including Dadar, Parel, Sion,  Andheri, Jogeshwari and Santa Cruz.