Another-year-same-story: 13-year-old, three others die in Mumbai rains
Like every year, the onset of monsoons brought less relief and more trouble for Mumbai residents. A 13-year-old girl died after a tree fell on her head on Saturday night. Three others died in separate incidents in Mumbai, raising serious questions about the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) preparedness. Some parts of Mumbai have received more than 100 mm rainfall since Saturday morning.
Coconut tree falls on 13-year-old returning home from tuitions
The 13-year-old, identified as Drushti Mungra, was just outside her home in Mumbai's Dahisar area when a coconut tree fell on her. She was coming home from tuitions. Locals quickly rushed her to Rohit Nursing Home, where doctors declared her brought dead. The police registered a case of accidental death. Last year, a woman had died in Chembur after a tree fell on her.
Another 22-year-old girl dies after tanker runs over her
In Thane, Priyanka Zhende, 22, passed away after a tanker ran over her. Due to low visibility, the driver couldn't see the girl's scooter. "After the girl fell off the scooter, she was run over," an officer from Thane said. A case has been registered under culpable homicide not amounting to murder against the unidentified driver, police said.
Separately, electrocution and lightning take two lives
A carpenter identified as Ali Akbar Ansari died after being electrocuted in Bhiwandi. Sixty-six-year-old fisherman Steni Admani died after being struck by lightning in Thane. Six others were also injured by lightning and rushed to hospital.
As rains pour, waterlogging brings Mumbai to a standstill
Waterlogging was reported from 11 spots in the city including Dadar, Dharavi, Kings Circle and Sion Road no 24 (where the level was recorded at 1.5ft). Waterlogging forced officers at the Byculla police station to move out important documents. In Navi Mumbai's Kombudbhuj village, at least ten houses were submerged. Locals alleged construction of the Navi Mumbai International Airport had added to their woes.
Mumbaikars say it's the same problem every year
Meanwhile, officials claim situation better than last year
The civic body said around 3,000 personnel had been tasked with tackling rain-related problems. A senior BMC official said most places like Andheri-Kurla Road didn't face waterlogging due to timely measures. Speaking about the worst-hit Hindmata area, BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta said work was still pending. "Still, compared to last year, the speed at which the water was receding was high," he said.
