Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 4 (ANI): As heavy rainfall and high tide continue in Mumbai, the administration has urged people to only step out in case of urgent work.

The State Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan said that the rescue teams have been deployed to aid the public affected by heavy rains, and the traffic is being cleared off the roads.

The minister said, “More than 200mm rain has occurred in 12 hours, which is very heavy rain – I mean, for Mumbai, it is very heavy rain. I would request all tourists, people who are going out for sightseeing. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed. Our teams are stationed near manholes. Traffic is being cleared. People are going out, sitting near the high tide. Most accidents happen because of selfies. Places with tourism witness high casualties. Only step out of the house if there is urgent work.”

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde, as per a statement by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, also urged citizens loitering along the seafront in the Worli area–ignoring the instructions and warnings issued by the Corporation administration and the police administration- to leave the area, as they were spotted wandering by the seaside and sitting on parapets here and there.

The Mayor said that it is not advisable to risk going to the shore while the sea waves are crashing.

As per the BMC, heavy rainfall continued to lash the Mumbai metropolitan area incessantly. At the same time, a high tide of 04:26 meters was observed in the sea at 02:50 pm.

Ritu Tawde visited and inspected the Dharmaveer, Swarajya Rakshak Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Coastal Road (South) area this afternoon.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in Mumbai, Thane and Palghar, with intense spells of rain expected in isolated places.

Waterlogging was also witnessed in several parts of Thane following heavy rainfall.

Earlier today, BMC announced the closure of all schools and colleges in Mumbai for the afternoon session. (ANI)