PIX: Season's first rainy spell surprises Mumbai

Image: Mumbaikars run for shade as season's first spell of rains surprised the city on Thursday evening
Photographs: Sahil Salve

Thursday evening brought a pleasant surprise for sweating Mumbaikars, as pre-monsoon showers lashed the entire periphery of the megacity.

Also Read: India likely to have near-normal monsoon

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Season's first rainy spell surprises Mumbai

Image: Some Mumbaikars enjoyed the showers as a much-needed relief from the sweltering heat
Photographs: Sahil Salve

The city, which witnessed its first major spell of rains this season, got some respite from summer heat and intense humidity.

Season's first rainy spell surprises Mumbai

Image: How prepared is Mumbai to face this year's monsoons, wondered many Mumbaikars
Photographs: Sahil Salve

But not all Mubaikars were excited about the sudden shift in weather. Office goers, while on their homeward journeys, had a tough time as there were numerous reports of heavy traffic snarls from across the city.

Season's first rainy spell surprises Mumbai

Image: Traffic snarls across the city didn't impress many Mumbaikars
Photographs: Sahil Salve

Power cuts for long durations in many parts of the city and adjoining areas like Thane and Navi Mumbai further proved a dampener.

Season's first rainy spell surprises Mumbai

Image: Most Mumbaikars were caught in the surprise rains without umbrellas or rain-jackets on Thursday evening
Photographs: Sahil Salve

The first showers, quite predictably, came as a wake up call for civic authorities as it posed some serious question marks over Mumbai's preparedness to tackle this year's monsoons.

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