Heavy rains lashed Mumbai city and surrounding areas on July 8 morning from 1 am to 7 am. Heavy rains in some low-lying areas led to waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Local train services on the Central Railway routes were severely hit while various roads in Mumbai were waterlogged after some areas recorded more than 300 mm rainfall overnight, officials said. In the wake of severe waterlogging in Mumbai following heavy rains, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole has vehemently criticized the state government for its alleged corruption and mismanagement.
Patole's comments come as Mumbaikars grapple with the aftermath of the torrential downpour, which has left many parts of the city submerged and daily life disrupted. "The mindset of the Maharashtra government was of corruption, of ending the democratic system. The people of Mumbai are suffering the consequences of that today. This is the failure of the government," Patole stated, expressing his frustration and concern over the state administration's handling of the situation.
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Patole pointed to the persistent issue of waterlogging in Mumbai, attributing it to the government's inability to implement effective drainage and infrastructure solutions. He argued that the recurrent flooding is a direct result of corrupt practices and a lack of accountability within the administration. In a scathing critique of the Maharashtra Chief Minister, Patole added, "Now you will go to the spot and do a photo session, what is the benefit of this?" His remarks highlight a sentiment shared by many residents who feel that such visits are merely superficial gestures, offering no real solutions to the underlying problems. The waterlogging issue in Mumbai is not a new phenomenon. Every monsoon, the city struggles with flooding, causing significant disruptions and posing health and safety risks to its residents. Critics argue that despite repeated promises and plans, the necessary measures to prevent such scenarios have not been effectively implemented. The weather forecasting agency has forecasted heavy rain in Maharashtra over three to four days. The MeT department indicated that heavy rain will impact the Madhya Maharashtra and Marathwada regions from July 8 to July 10, 2024.