At least 15 people died in Mumbai’s Chembur
and Vikhroli after they got trapped under the rubble of their homes following
heavy rains that lashed the city overnight. The city administration has sounded
a red alert and citizens have been advised to not venture outside.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned the loss
of lives on Twitter and said: “Saddened by the loss of lives due to wall
collapses in Chembur and Vikhroli. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with
the bereaved families. Praying that those who are injured have a speedy
recovery.”

The Prime Minister’s Office announced a
compensation of Rs2 lakh each to families of those who died and Rs50,000 to
those injured.

Around 15 people were rescued from Chembur’s
Bharat Nagar area and nine people from Vikhroli’s Surya Nagar. Those injured
have been sent to nearby hospitals, NDTV quoted Mumbai officials as saying.

Rescue operations are still underway as more
people are feared to be trapped.

Mumbai has been receiving very heavy rainfall
over the last few days. The city recorded 156.94mm rain between 8pm and 2am,
said officials adding that the eastern suburbs recorded 143.14mm and the
western suburbs 125.37mm, respectively.

Low-lying areas of Chunabhatti Sion, Dadar, Gandhi
Market, Chembur and Kurla LBS road are completely flooded.

Visuals from news agency ANI showed cars
being swept away by the undercurrents in Borivali East. Mumbai’s lifeline, the
suburban train services have been suspended due to waterlogging in the tracks
due to overnight downpour.

Long-distance trains on both Central and
Western railway lines have been affected due to the flooded tracks.

Tracks are waterlogged at Dadar, Parel,
Matunga, Kurla, Sion, Bhandup and several other locations, according to Central
railway. Train services on the main line have been suspended between CSMT and
Thane.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has
said that Mumbai will continue to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall over the
next five days.