Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has issued a stern advisory to private companies and commercial establishments in Mumbai, urging them to implement work-from-home policies for their employees. The directive comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Mumbai, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall and strong gusty winds.
CM Warns of Legal Action for Non-Compliance
CM Fadnavis emphasized that the appeal for work-from-home is made on humanitarian grounds. However, he also issued a clear warning: private entities that fail to comply with these government directives could face strict legal action under the provisions of the Disaster Management Act. He also appealed to all citizens to avoid non-essential travel and remain indoors.
Emergency Preparedness and Public Safety
In response to the severe weather forecast, district administrations and emergency response teams have been placed on 24-hour standby. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units have been strategically deployed in areas identified as highly sensitive to flooding and rain-related incidents. The Maharashtra State Disaster Management Authority also advised non-essential government offices to operate for a half-day, reinforcing the urgency of the situation.
Maharashtra Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan reiterated the call for people to stay safe and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities. He also mentioned that announcements regarding the closure of schools and colleges would be made shortly. Mahajan noted that several more days of consistent rainfall would be needed to significantly improve water levels in dams across the state.
Travel Disruption and Infrastructure Impact
The heavy downpour has already caused significant disruption to travel and infrastructure. Reports indicate that stretches of the Mumbai-Pune corridor, including the National Highway and the Yashwantrao Chavan Mumbai-Pune Expressway, have been affected by landslides and waterlogging. While some sections were temporarily cleared, authorities continue to advise against non-essential Mumbai-Pune travel.
Landslides have also been reported near Tunnel No. 40 on the Mumbai-Pune railway route. Furthermore, some parts of the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Expressway have been closed due to water accumulation at construction sites. CM Fadnavis confirmed that major rivers, including the Savitri, are flowing above danger levels, and landslides have severely impacted traffic movement across affected regions.