Schools & colleges to remain shut in Mumbai on Thursday due to heavy rain; IMD issues red alert

Amid heavy rains in Mumbai, authorities declared an emergency holiday in schools and colleges in the city on Thursday, September 26, in order to ensure the safety of students.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to announce the decision, which followed a "red alert" for the city issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting 'extremely heavy rainfall' till at 8:30 am on Thursday. 

The civic body also urged citizens to step out of their homes only if necessary during this period.

"Commuters are advised to check weather updates and plan accordingly," the civic body said.

Heavy rains lashed the city and its suburbs since Wednesday afternoon, inundating low-lying areas, stopping local trains on tracks between Kurla and Thane stations, and leaving passengers stranded even as traffic crawled on roads.

With inputs from agencies