Storm unleashes havoc in Mumbai, chaos captured in pics

A sudden violent dust storm accompanied by lashing rain caught Mumbaikars off-guard amid afternoon heat on Monday. The inclement weather disrupted transportation on all fronts in Mumbai.

An illegal hoarding (120x120sq ft), far bigger than the maximum size (40x40sq ft) allowed by BMC, collapsed on a petrol pump near Ghatkopar’s Police Ground on Monday during a dust storm accompanied by 60kmph winds.

Fifteen Mumbai-bound flights were diverted to other airports after a sudden dust storm and rain hit Mumbai on Monday evening.

The dust storm clouded the political landscape as well, with campaign rallies and roadshows for the Lok Sabha election either cancelled or truncated.

The huge dust storm followed by heavy rain was caused by a natural phenomenon called heat inversion. It occurs locally when moist air blows into areas that have seen prolonged hot temperatures.

G.ufran Beig, senior met scientist at IISc, said the dust rose up to 5km in the skies, creating the massive storm that enveloped Mumbai on Monday. Skymet’s G P Sharma called it clear pre-monsoon activity that hits coastal areas after a hot spell.

Visibility was too low on the Sion Panvel highway due to heavy wind at Sanpada in Navi Mumbai on Monday.

No less than 187 instances of tree fall occurred within Mumbai, inflicting one fatality and leaving five people injured. In Thane, a relentless downpour, causing 19.28 mm of rainfall and lasting three hours, felled 71 trees.

The hoarding collapsed accident and inclement weather disrupted transportation on all fronts. Chaotic scenes erupted along Central Railway. Stampede situations occurred on high footfall stations like Dadar and Wadala. WR services were delayed, too.

Chaotic scenes erupted along Central Railway. Stampede situations occurred on high footfall stations like Dadar and Wadala. WR services were delayed, too.

The dust storm and unseasonal rains on Monday led to intermittent power cuts in several parts of the city, while a 22 KV power substation at Powai was damaged, leading to disruption in water supply to many areas in L (Kurla) and S (Bhandup) civic wards of municipal corporation.

Amid huge dust storm and heavy rain, few children were determined to enjoy the welcome relief that rain brought.