Torrential Rains Return To Mumbai - Transport Out, City Center Underwater

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MUMBAI: Torrential rain lashed India's financial capital Mumbai again yesterday, disrupting flights, hampering rescue efforts and bringing more misery as the death toll from the heaviest downpours in the city's history approached 1000.

A third of the city was said to be paralysed. Its centre was under water and the transport system had collapsed. Roads were clogged with traffic after flooding closed key thoroughfares across the city of more than 15million people. Train services were disrupted but air traffic at Mumbai airport, India's busiest, was slowly getting back to normal.

Authorities issued new flood alerts and appealed to residents to stay indoors as the weather bureau in Mumbai predicted "heavy rainfall" in the next 48 hours in the western state of Maharashtra, of which Mumbai is the capital, and adjoining states. "Heavy to very heavy rains accompanied by strong winds are expected in Bombay (Mumbai) city and suburban areas in the next 24 hours," a weather official said.

He said more than 100mm of rain was recorded in southern Mumbai's Colaba area, while almost 150mm of rain fell in the suburbs.

Financial markets and banks were open but schools in the sprawling city were shut after police urged residents to stay off the roads. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

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