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The first heavy spell of south-west monsoon has broken in the country’s financial capital Mumbai and its surrounding areas. With the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing ‘Orange Alert’ for Mumbai and the coastal Konkan region, the pace of Mayanagari has come to a complete halt.
More than the ocean-like conditions on the roads and miles-long traffic jams, what is being talked about at the moment is the deadly negligence of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Electricity Department (Mahavitaran), which took away three innocent lives within just 24 hours. These three separate tragic accidents in Chembur, Sakinaka and Mumbra have defied the administration’s claims of pre-monsoon preparedness, which has created a stir in the political circles of Maharashtra.
Heavy tree falls on school bus in Chembur, parents’ only child dies
A heart-wrenching incident came to light on Road No. 11 in Chembur area of Mumbai. Due to strong winds and torrential rains, an old giant tree was suddenly uprooted. This tree fell directly on a school bus passing by, which was going to drop innocent children of Universal High School and Tilak Nagar School home. As soon as the bus was pressed, there was screaming among the children.
Local residents and rescue teams immediately cut the debris of the bus with the help of gas cutter machines and took out the children. However, in this horrific accident, 11 year old innocent child Vihaan Srivastava suffered serious injuries and died before reaching the hospital. Vihaan was the only child of his parents.
Leaders’ statements and outrage: Expressing deep grief over this incident, Cabinet Minister Ashish Shelar has assured strict action against the guilty BMC officials. At the same time, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar took the state government to task after meeting the victim’s family. Rohit Pawar said in sharp words that what is the use of these sham pre-monsoon tree audits (pruning of trees) held every year, when our children are not safe? Just suspending small employees will not suffice, big officers should also be punished.
Open manhole in Sakinaka became well of death, crew left without barricade
The second most tragic accident took place at around 12:26 pm in Sakinaka area, which is being called a pure administrative murder. Here the maintenance crew of BMC removed the cover of a heavy manhole built on the road to clean the drainage, but did not install any safety barricade, reflector or warning board on that open space during the completion of the work or during the halt.
At the same time, 60 year old Aslam Isak Shaikh was passing by on foot and talking on the phone. Due to torrential rains the road was filled with water and they had no idea about the open manhole. They fell straight into that deep pit and disappeared in the strong current of the drainage. After a rigorous rescue operation of about three hours, the fire department recovered his body.
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Demand for action: Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar has demanded registration of an FIR of culpable homicide against BMC officials for this gross negligence and immediate suspension of the concerned ward officer.
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Compensation declaration: Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar has taken a strong stance on this unfortunate incident and has called for a detailed report in the House. At the same time, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has accepted this as a serious mistake of the administration and has announced a compensation of ₹ 10 lakh to the victim’s family.
Death current descended amid waterlogging in Mumbra, 17 year old girl lost her life
In Mumbra area of Thane adjacent to Mumbai, another major negligence of the Electricity Department (Mahavitaran) took the life of a laughing 17-year-old minor girl. Mohammad Chandiwala, the uncle of the deceased girl, told crying that during the heavy rain, his niece was going to her father’s shop located across the road.
There was knee-deep water on the road, which was carrying current from nearby electric poles or underground cables. As soon as the girl stepped into the water, she got a strong electric shock and fell unconscious on the spot. People nearby immediately took him to the hospital, but the doctors declared him dead. Mumbra police have registered a case against the electricity department and started investigation.
Truck overturned at Kharghar toll plaza, waist-deep water in Dadar-Sion
The worst impact of this celestial disaster has been on the roads and local routes which are called the lifelines of Mumbai:
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Sion-Panvel Highway Block: Due to heavy rain and low visibility near Kharghar toll plaza, a speeding truck overturned on the highway. Due to this accident, three lanes of the highway were completely blocked and there was a miles-long traffic jam on the route from Navi Mumbai to Mumbai.
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Dadar and Sion submerged: Like always, in this first rain also the Gandhi Market area of Dadar East and Sion has been completely submerged. Here, due to waist-deep water on the roads, the engines of vehicles have stalled and it has become difficult for people to even walk.
Next 24 hours are heavy, administration’s appeal – stay at home
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that due to the strong monsoon system in Mumbai and suburbs, there is no chance of respite from rain for the next 24 hours. Intermittent torrential rains will continue. In view of the worsening situation, the Disaster Management Department and Mumbai Police have appealed to the citizens not to come out of their homes unless there is some urgent or emergency work and to completely avoid going to low-lying areas.