Pics by Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network

Mumbai, Aug 27 (IANS) Heavy rains lashing Mumbai since Thursday have inundated low lying areas.

The southwest monsoon also remained active over Konkan, Goa, central Maharashtra and Marathwada during the last 48 hours.

According to the weather office, rain and thundershowers would occur in these regions in the next 48 hours.

The weather office in Colaba (south Mumbai) recorded 98 mm of rainfall in the last 48 hours. The Santacruz office (north Mumbai) recorded 120 mm.

From 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday alone, Colaba recorded 32.6 mm rainfall, while Santacruz recorded 82.8 mm.

The city had faced a dry spell since the beginning of this month. But the rains are back and the city might also see more rainfall over the next few days.

"There has been a lot of clouds over the Arabian Sea, the winds are strengthening and there is lot of moisture," the weather office said.

"Intermittent spells of rainfall will occur in parts of the city and the suburbs," an official said. "Heavy rainfall is expected in some areas."

The Met office forecast strong monsoon activity in the coming week.

Two lakes supplying potable water to Mumbai - Vihar and Tansa - are very close to the overflowing mark.

Low lying areas of northern Mumbai - including Santacruz, Khar and Andheri - faced flooding.

Two vital subways in north-west Mumbai - Malad and Andheri - were waterlogged and remained closed to traffic.