Mumbai Billboard Collapse Kills Four, Injures 60 Amidst Storm and Rain
A tragic incident unfolded in Mumbai's Ghatkopar area on Monday, as a colossal billboard succumbed to the wrath of a severe dust storm and torrential rain, plummeting onto a bustling petrol pump and leaving a trail of devastation. The cataclysmic event claimed the lives of four individuals and inflicted injuries upon 60 others, casting a shadow of grief over the city.
The incident transpired at the Police Ground petrol pump, situated along the Eastern Express Highway in Pantnagar. Heart-wrenching footage captured by onlookers depicted several vehicles entombed beneath the colossal billboard, their occupants trapped and helpless.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the National Disaster Response Force swiftly mobilized its team to spearhead the rescue operation, working tirelessly alongside officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The injured were promptly transported to the civic-run Rajawadi Hospital for immediate medical attention.
The BMC, acting swiftly to address the situation, issued a formal notice to the agency responsible for erecting the billboard at the ill-fated location. In a statement, the BMC emphasized its regulations stipulating a maximum permissible hoarding size of 40x40 square feet. However, the collapsed billboard, in blatant violation of these regulations, spanned a colossal 120x120 square feet.
The relentless onslaught of inclement weather also wreaked havoc on Mumbai's vital infrastructure and transportation networks. The city's airport was forced to temporarily suspend flight operations for approximately one hour due to the severe weather conditions, resulting in the diversion of at least 15 flights.
The India Meteorological Department issued warnings of persisting strong winds in certain areas over the ensuing four hours, urging residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
The storm's fury extended beyond the billboard collapse, with scaffolding collapsing on the Thane-Belapur Road in Wadala and a tree being uprooted in Jogeshwari, crashing down upon an autorickshaw and causing injuries to the driver, Hayat Khan, who was promptly rushed to a nearby hospital by compassionate locals.
Videos circulating on social media platforms showcased the diminished visibility in several parts of Mumbai, including Goregaon.
The relentless winds also disrupted metro services between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations after a banner entangled itself in the overhead wire. Suburban services on the Central Railway were similarly affected after an overhead equipment pole between Thane and Mulund stations buckled under the strain of the gale-force winds, prompting the suspension of services on the Main Line.
Power outages were reported in Kalwa, Thane district, and other localities, further exacerbating the challenges faced by the city's residents.
