Heavy rains disrupt flights, trains in India's Mumbai

A motorcyclist rides through a water-logged street after heavy rains in Mumbai on June 7, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS

NEW DELHI (XINHUA) - Heavy rains lashed India's financial capital, Mumbai, on Saturday (June 9), disrupting flights and local train services, officials said.

"Flights from Mumbai airport have been hit badly. Some 12 international flights have been delayed and at least two cancelled. More than 10 domestic flights were also delayed due to rains," an aviation official said.

A railway official said that local trains - the lifeline of Mumbai - have been affected by rains too.

"Most of the trains are running late by 15 minutes due to heavy rains," he said.

Local TV channels showed footage of some low-lying areas of Mumbai waterlogged, leading to slow movement of vehicles there.

The Mumbai Police has urged commuters to drive slowly.

"You surely don't want your vehicle & you lying like that on the road, in the rains! The roads are slippery... Please drive extra carefully. Decrease speed, increase cautiousness," it tweeted.

Mumbai's civic body has advised people to stay indoors and cancelled the leaves of all emergency officials to deal with the situation, while the weather department has warned fishermen not to venture out into the sea off the city's coast.

"We are taking all precautions to ensure that all citizens are safe to ensure no repeat of 2005," said a civic official.

Several people died in July 2005 when large parts of Mumbai got flooded following 24 hours of heavy rains.

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