The low-lying areas of Parel, Dharavi, Matunga and King's Circle in Mumbai and towns in the neighbouring Thane district, including Diva, Dombivali, Kalyan and Ambernath, were flooded due to copious rains.
A special women's court in Mumbai on Tuesday convicted a 29-year-old driver for the rape and murder of Esther Anuhya, an Andhra Pradesh-based woman software engineer in suburban Kurla here last year.
The 24-hour nation-wide general strike was called by left-affiliated trade unions against the United Progressive Alliance government's economic and industrial policies.
In several parts of the metropolis, shops were shut in protest and schools held prayer meets as a mark of respect to the CRPF personnel who were killed on Thursday.
"The case falls under the category of the rarest of rare, hence the accused is awarded death sentence... he must be hanged by his neck till he is dead," said Special Women's court judge Vrushali Joshi pronouncing the verdict.
Waterlogging was reported from areas like Dadar, Wadala, Worli, Kurla, Chembur, Bandra, Andheri, Kandivili, Vikhroli, Kanjurmarg and Bhandup, among others.
Heavy rains lashing Mumbai since Sunday have thrown rail, air and road traffic out of gear, with several trains and flights being cancelled. With IMD forecast of heavy rains for Tuesday, the authorities declared a holiday in the city and adjoining regions, asking people to avoid stepping out of their houses.
Heavy rains lashed Mumbai and its suburbs on Wednesday, causing flooding on roads and rail tracks and disrupting suburban train services as the south-west monsoon arrived in the city with a bang, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an alert for more downpour.
The prime minister thanked the people but said it was the start of a long battle, as he urged them to follow social distancing to stop the chain of transmission of Coronavirus which has infected 360 people and claimed seven lives in India.
Suburban services were disrupted with trains on all the three lines -- western, central and harbour -- running late.
However, flight operations at the Mumbai airport were not impacted due to rains, an airport official said.
As many as 108 flights cancelled and another 51 diverted to nearby airports.
Rediff.com Reporter Anita Aikara spotted a Mumbai constable violating the rules on Sunday, February 4. When, like a good citizen, she objected, she was abused and manhandled by the constable. Her PAN card was taken away and she was then charged with a false crime.
The civic authorities have moved to clear roads which have become slushy and strewn with garbage, and are also gearing up to tackle rush of patients in municipal hospitals.
The BEST workers' union went on strike to press for their demands, including timely payment of salaries.
The municipal body has directed its officials to form teams to ensure that all the restaurants are fire safety compliant in view of the New Year celebrations.
'Ek ghante ke andar humare paas 78,000 calls aaye.' '78,000!'
Mumbai received 231.4 mm rain in the last 24 hours, while Thane received 229.81 mm.
Dramatic minutes like the sentencing by a judge or a round of artful cross examination hog all the attention in a courtroom. But more noteworthy and infinitely more memorable are the human moments -- Like when a brother and sister hug before a judge. Or the steady support between a husband and a wife in court.
Two officers have been suspended and a constable transferred. But the false case slapped by the RPF against Rediff.com Reporter Anita Aikara has not yet been withdrawn.
What happened to us should not happen to anyone else in future. A strong message has to be sent by our judicial system that such acts will not be dealt with lightly," said one of the victim's father.
'The lesson the BJP has to learn from the violence in Gujarat is that once you practise the politics of hate against any community, it will surely get back to you some day.'
