Downpour in Thane claims 1 life, holiday for edu institutions

Thane: One person was electrocuted as heavy rains battered Thane district on Saturday, disrupting normal life due to water-logging and flooding in some parts, officials said.

Another person suffered serious injuries after the roof of a bakery in Mumbra caved in, officials said.

Incessant downpour continued in neighbouring Palghar district as well, prompting the authorities to declare a holiday for educational institutions on Saturday and also issue an advisory asking people to stay indoors.

Due to the heavy rainfall overnight in Thane, roads, nullahs and even housing societies were flooded. The gushing water swept away vehicles in some areas, officials said.

The low-lying areas in the city were affected the most as several housing complexes in such areas were flooded. Schools in Thane declared a holiday due to heavy rains. Buses and autos were not plying on the roads due to flooding, which incovenienced the commuters, the officials said.

“Eighteen-year-old Santosh Gole, a resident of Dharmaveer Nagar in Thane, was electrocuted when he tried to remove the plug of the refrigerator at his house,” chief of the Regional Disaster Management Cell (RDMC) of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) Santosh Kadam said.

He was taken to Thane Civil hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead, he said.

In another incident, one person was suffered serious injuries after the roof of a bakery located near Mumbra police station in Zainy Colony, caved in, officials said, adding that he was admitted to a private hospital.

In Palghar district, several villages were marooned as the roads connecting them were flooded.

Some of the important roads in the district have been shut for traffic due to flooding, officials said.

The gates of the Surya dam were opened releasing the excess water, officials said.

Palghar District Collector Kailas Shinde said the weather department has forecast heavy rains on Saturday and Sunday.

“Considering the heavy rainfall warning, people are advised to remain indoors and get out of the house only if it is absolutely necessary. People should not go near the flooded roads, bridges, river,” he said.

He said a holiday has been declared for all the educational institutions in the district.

In case of any emergency the citizens are requested to get in touch with the disaster control room at the district headquarters, Shinde said.