Latest news with #ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharajTerminus
Khaleej Times
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Khaleej Times
Heavy rainfall lashes Mumbai; train services affected due to submerged tracks
Lashing rains swamped India's financial capital Mumbai on Monday as the annual monsoon rains arrived some two weeks earlier than usual, according to weather forecasters. Heavy rains cooling temperatures, welcomed by farmers for their crops but which cause havoc each year in cities by flooding transport infrastructure, are normally expected in the southwestern state of Maharashtra in early June. Mumbai weather chief Shubhangi Bhute, from the Indian Meteorological Department, said it was the earliest the rains had arrived since their records began in 2011. "This is the earliest the monsoon has arrived in the state since then, so this is the earliest in 14 years," Bhute said. Long-distance trains remain unaffected, but heavy rain submerged local tracks. Rainfall exceeding 150mm is generally considered a red alert. Services on the Harbour Line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Wadala Road was stopped for about one hour in the morning. Rain-related updates continue to be closely monitored by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as heavy rainfall on Sunday night led to waterlogging in several parts of Mumbai. The IMD has issued orange to red alerts for the city and its suburban areas to warn residents of ongoing weather risks. Taking to social media, X India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated, "Light to moderate spell of rainfall is likely to continue over Mumbai and suburban areas during the next 3-4 hours." On May 23, Mumbai received light showers, as IMD forecasted generally cloudy skies with heavy rain. "The city is likely to experience 'generally cloudy sky with heavy rain' today," per the Indian Meteorological Department. South Asia is getting hotter and in recent years has seen shifting weather patterns, but scientists are unclear on how exactly a warming planet is affecting the highly complex monsoon. The southwest monsoon is a colossal sea breeze that brings South Asia 70-80 percent of its annual rainfall between June and September every year. It occurs when summer heat warms the landmass of the subcontinent, causing the air to rise and sucking in cooler Indian Ocean winds which then produce enormous volumes of rain. The monsoon is vital for agriculture and therefore for the livelihoods of millions of farmers and for food security. But it brings destruction every year in landslides and floods. In India, the southwest monsoon normally arrives on the southern tip at Kerala around June 1, and moves north to cover the country by early July. The rains typically reach Maharashtra around June 7.
India.com
22-05-2025
- India.com
Experience The Enchanting Beauty Of Monsoon Season In Mumbai
Mumbai functions as India's leading western coastal metropolitan city which stands known for its energetic cultural scene alongside famous landmarks and energetic urban lifestyle. The urban center of Mumbai shifts into its most picturesque period when the monsoon season runs from June to September. Monsoons refresh the climate of Mumbai by carrying away brutal summer heat and spreading new vitality to every area. Seven factors make the Mumbai monsoon season absolutely enchanting. 1. The Revival of Nature When monsoon arrives Mumbai witnesses a complete transformation of its environmental scenery. Summer aridness disappears as the dry and dusty streets and exposed land areas transform into vibrant forests with fresh vegetation. The rainy season makes banyan trees and neem trees and gulmohar trees restore their vivid characteristics and Sanjay Gandhi National Park develops into thriving natural reserves filled with flora and fauna. The city comes alive through the seasonal rains which create unreal yet enchanting scenes as they transform streets and buildings. 2. Iconic Views of Marine Drive Marine Drive shows an enchanting 'Queen's Necklace' appearance during monsoon periods. The promenade experiences rough ocean conditions as sea waves keep crashing against its walls to create a beautiful sight for observers. During this season observers can witness the Arabian Sea sunset combined with rain under gentle drizzle when visiting the location. The relaxing wind combined with rainy sound patterns creates an enchanting romantic atmosphere at this recognizably great location. 3. A Culinary Delight The food culture of Mumbai produces its best expressions during the monsoon season while presenting its stunning natural scenery. Hot vada pav , pav bhaji and bhel puri are served on street vendor stalls where rain enhances their delightful taste. Pakora fritters and Masala Chai spiced tea assume the status of festival foods as traditional snacks throughout the season. The comfort food selections created the perfect match for mood which the rainy conditions initiate. 4. Exploring Heritage Sites Mumbai's historical sites become accessible for tourists during the monsoon season because the hot sun stays away. The grey skies and intermittent rain showers enhance the visual appeal of important landmarks like the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and the Haji Ali Dargah. The weather motivates people to slowly stroll through the historic neighborhoods of Fort and Colaba to experience Mumbai's colonial history. 5. Festivals and Celebrations The month when monsoon arrives brings multiple festivals which people in Mumbai enjoy celebrating with great excitement. Ganesh Chaturthi stands as the most important festival in Mumbai since it occurs in August or September. Forceful rainfall accompanies the installation of magnificent Lord Ganesha idols at both home temples and large public altars which continue to attract substantial crowds. Celebrations during monsoon receive added beauty from cultural passion which pairs perfectly with the tranquil weather conditions. 6. Rainy Adventures and Escapes Any explorer can discover many outdoor spaces throughout Mumbai during this rainy season. The scenic trails located near Matheran, Lonavala, and Khandala become increasingly attractive since the rainfalls have groomed the surrounding region with vibrant greenery and flowing waterfall features. Visitors can take advantage of day outings at both Aarey Milk Colony and Kanheri Caves which are located near the urban center. Mumbai transforms during rainstorms when residents can see it anew by taking both harbor ferry rides and boat tours near Elephanta Caves. 7. Romantic Atmosphere Monsoon season provides Mumbai with an atmosphere that naturally draws romantic feelings from its residents. The season creates romantic feelings which people experience when sharing rain protection together at Juhu Beach or admiring rainfall through café windows. Since Bollywood films have celebrated monsoon romance throughout history, living through this experience in Mumbai creates a magical movie moment in regular daily activities. Final Thoughts During the monsoon season Mumbai becomes a place where natural gifts blend perfectly with urban toughness. Mumbai brings much-needed respite from summer heat and simultaneously restores both the environment and presents multiple entertaining opportunities to celebrate this urban metropolis's distinctive charm. Mumbai offers an endless list of enjoyable activities during its enchanting monsoon season which includes street food exploration and heritage site exploration as well as exciting rain adventures. The monsoon brings a message of simple delight between natural elements and urban settings for both Mumbai residents and visitors. The rain experience in Mumbai should be accepted because it has the power to enchant visitors beyond measure.
Indian Express
27-04-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Mumbai: Reopening with a reminder; when stones tell history of a bridge
On a November night, three years ago, when 500 people were busy dismantling the 154-year old Carnac bridge, one of the first bridges to be built in the island city, a group of civic and railway officials discovered six basalt stones from the rubble of debris that were gathered at the demolition site. What caught the attention of officials was that the six stones had inscriptions engraved upon them that were primarily in Marathi, Gujarati, Hindi and English languages. The inscriptions included the year 1858 when the construction of the bridge began and the year 1868, when the construction works were completed. The four other stones had the name of the bridge inscribed in four different languages along with an 'anchor' which officials state was a symbol for 'good luck and prosperity' brought through maritime trade. 'Larger portions of the original bridge were made of Basalt stone. During the 19th and 20th century, basalt stones were primarily used for civil construction. Since, Mumbai had a colonial past, almost every major building or structure that was built during that era was made of Basalt. As a result, these kinds of stones were not something new to us, but it was the inscriptions that were present on them that distinguished them from others,' said a senior civic official who was present on the night of demolition when the stones were discovered. Civic officials said that the stones were originally located underneath a pillar on the eastern and western portion of the bridge. However, the officials became aware of it only during the demolition drive. After the stones blocks were found, they were transported to the Central Railways Heritage Gully (lane) located at P'D Mello road – behind Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) for preservation, where they were kept for the past three years. As a newly constructed Carnac bridge is set to be reopened on June 10, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started to make arrangements to bring back these stones and keep them preserved at the newly constructed bridge to signify the bridge's importance to the city of Mumbai. 'The Carnac bridge has a rich past and the bridge belongs to the BMC, therefore, the stones ideally should be there. We have written to the railways demanding the stones from them, as soon as we get them under our possession we will refurbish it if required and place them at the site of the new bridge,' Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Projects), told The Indian Express. On April 17, the BMC's deputy chief engineer of the bridges department had also written to the Central Railways demanding refixation of the stones on the newly constructed bridge. Built in 1868, the Carnac bridge was one of the oldest east-west bridges to come up in the island city of Mumbai (then Bombay). A testament to the times when the city experienced a financial boom and rapidly emerged to become one of the financial epicenters of south Asia. Bharat Gothoskar, founder of KHAKI heritage foundation and a chronicler of Mumbai's history, told The Indian Express that during the 1840s, new docks such as Carnac Bunder, Clare Bunder and Clerk Bunder were built north of the Fort of Mumbai as a result of which both Indian and foreign ships started docking at these bunders to discharge their goods. 'The building of the railway line to Thane in the 1850s created an obstacle to the smooth movement of goods between the docks and the city, and in 1868, the Carnac Bridge was built over the railway line, connecting Carnac Bunder (Indira Docks' Yellow Gate today) to Carnac Road (Lokmanya Tilak Marg today). All three, the bridge, the bunder and the road, were named after Sir James Rivett-Carnac, who served as Governor of Bombay 1839 to 1841,' Gothoskar said. The stones are primarily black coloured each weighing up to 1.5-2 tonnes. Urban planner and architect, Pankaj Joshi said that between 1860 and 1930, the island city of Mumbai witnessed rapid infrastructure growth. Joshi said that considering the technological limitations stones were preferred for construction of infrastructure projects as steel was very expensive. 'There were quarries in Titwala and in areas of the suburbs of Mumbai, which are known today as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR). Basalt stones were preferred for construction works because of their tensile strength and durability. These stones were locally available and had variable colours like black, yellow and cream. Besides the Carnac bridge, heritage buildings like the Rajabai Tower and CSMT building were also built with yellow and cream basalt stones,' Joshi said. The bridge was pulled down in 2022 jointly by the civic and railway authorities after a structural audit declared that the bridge was unfit for daily usage and needed to be reconstructed. The mammoth operation of pulling down the old Carnac Bridge lasted for nearly 18-hours. The construction of the new bridge began in early 2023. At present, the work is nearing completion. 'The new bridge will be wider and higher. The roads will be smooth and will be able to accommodate larger traffic volume decongesting key south Mumbai locations,' Bangar said.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana seeks court permission to speak with family
26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana has submitted an application requesting permission to communicate with his family members. NEW DELHI: Jailed 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana has submitted a plea through his counsel on April 19 seeking permission to communicate with his family members. In response, the Delhi Patiala Court issued a notice to NIA regarding his plea and the matter will be heard on April 23. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian submitted the plea before special judge Hardeep Kaur . He was sent to 18 day custody by a court on April 10. According to the NIA, Rana was a key conspirator and a close aide of David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, the Pakistani-American terrorist who conducted reconnaissance missions ahead of the attacks. The agency told the court that Headley discussed the entire operation with Rana before travelling to India. The probing agency said that Headley had sent Rana an email listing his belongings and assets, anticipating potential risks associated with his mission. The agency further claimed that Headley had informed Rana about the involvement of Pakistani nationals Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman, both of whom are also accused in the case. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks targeted major landmarks including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Oberoi Trident, and the Jewish community centre Nariman House. The attacks left 166 people dead and hundreds injured over a nearly 60-hour siege, marking one of the deadliest terror strikes in India's history.
