Massive Dust Storm, Season's First Rain In Mumbai, Airport Ops Affected

Mumbai witnessed the first rains of the season, accompanied by a massive duststorm which turned the sky dark around 3 pm today. Rainfall brought relief to the residents of Mumbai and its adjoining area from heat but the skyline of the metropolitan was encircled by dusty winds. 

The sudden change in weather brought traffic to a standstill as commuters took shelter during the storm. 

Strong winds and rain were witnessed in the Ghatkopar, Bandra Kurla, Dharavi area of Mumbai. Landing and takeoff operations at the Mumbai airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, were temporarily suspended, officials said. The airport authority in an update said the operations resumed at 5:03 pm and it witnessed 15 flight diversions during the storm. The Mumbai Airport last week completed its pre-monsoon runway maintenance successfully, ensuring safe and smooth aircraft operations. 

A 100-foot tall billboard was uprooted and fell on a petrol pump at the Cheddanagar Junction in Mumbai's Ghatkopar, trapping vehicles and people, visuals showed. Some people are heard saying "They are dead...they are dead". No casualties have been reported so far but a rescue operation is underway.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been called to rescue the trapped. Over 100 people are feared trapped.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Mumbai has issued a "nowcast warning" forecasting a thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and moderate to intense spells of rain for Thane, Palghar and Mumbai.