Mumbai, Aug 16 — Two members of a family were killed and two others injured in a landslide triggered by incessant rains in Vikhroli’s Varsha Nagar early Saturday, civic officials said.
The incident occurred around 2.39 am when soil and stones from a nearby hillock collapsed onto a hut. Four family members were rushed to Rajawadi Hospital, where doctors declared Shalu Mishra (19) and Suresh Mishra (50) dead. Aarti Mishra (45) and Ruturaj Mishra (20) sustained injuries but are said to be stable.
Emergency teams from the fire brigade, police, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) were deployed, and other residents of the area were shifted to safer locations.
Meanwhile, heavy downpour since 1 am inundated large parts of the city, affecting suburban train services and bus operations. Central Railway services were hit between Matunga and Bhandup on the main line, and between Wadala and Kurla on the Harbour Line. Western Railway services were also delayed, particularly between Dadar and Mahim. By late morning, water had receded and trains were running 15–20 minutes behind schedule, officials said.
The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) diverted several buses due to waterlogging in Sion, Kings Circle, Aarey Colony, and Malad. Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani visited the disaster management control room and issued instructions for relief measures.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Vikhroli received the heaviest rainfall in the city at 248.5 mm between Friday morning and early Saturday. Santacruz recorded 232.5 mm, Sion 221 mm, and Juhu 208 mm. In contrast, Colaba in south Mumbai saw only 70 mm during the same period.
With rainfall intensifying in the suburbs, the IMD upgraded its earlier orange alert to a red alert for Mumbai, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall with isolated extremely heavy spells along the west coast in the coming days.
The BMC has appealed to citizens to remain indoors unless necessary.
