Heavy Rain Paralyses Mumbai; Trains Hit, Schools Closed

MUMBAI:  Train services have been severely hit in Mumbai and schools have been closed after heavy rain lashed Mumbai overnight. (See pics) With the weather department forecasting heavy showers over the next 24 hours and a high tide of 4.60 metres around 2 in the afternoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the city's civic agency, has issued an alert, asking people against stepping out. With tracks completely waterlogged, operations were suspended on the Harbour line while trains are plying only between the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) and the Kurla suburb on the busy Central line. The Western Railways line, meanwhile, is running staggered services. Thousands of commuters, bound for offices, were caught unawares at suburban stations around the city as the railways announced suspension of services. Around 70-80 lakh people travel everyday by local trains, considered the lifeline of the city.   NDTV