Huge dust storm, rain in Mumbai, 7 injured as giant hoarding collapses
Mumbai witnessed heavy rain accompanied by dust storms and gusty winds on Monday, disrupting Metro and local train services.
The development came moments after the India Meteorological Department, Mumbai, predicted a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and moderate to intense spells of rain for Mumbai, Thane and Palghar.
Gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph is very likely to persist in isolated places in the districts of Mumbai over the next four hours, the weather department said, advising people to stay cautious.
Rains with gusty winds were witnessed in the suburbs of Dadar, Kurla, Mahim, Ghatkopar, Mulund and Vikhroli, while it drizzled in parts of south Mumbai.
At least seven persons were injured on Monday after an iron hoarding collapsed amid rain and gusty wind in Ghatkopar in Mumbai. The incident occurred at the Police Ground petrol pump along the Eastern Express Highway in Pantnagar.
"Some people are feared trapped under the hoarding and a search and rescue operation is underway," officials said.
An electric pole fell on the road due to the storm near Belapur Savita Chemical on Thane-Belapur Road.
Videos from parts of Mumbai, including Goregaon, showed reduced visibility.
Metro services were suspended between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations after a banner landed on the overheard wire due to strong winds, a spokesperson from Metro Rail was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
Suburban services on Central Railway were affected after an overhead equipment pole between Thane and Mulund stations got bent due to strong winds, an official said.
The suburban services on the Main Line have been suspended, the chief spokesperson of Central Railway said.
Power outages were reported in Kalwa in Thane district and some other areas.
