05 July,2026 11:48 PM IST | Navi Mumbai | Abhitash Singh
As many as 65 trees came crashing down across the city in less than a day, disrupting traffic, damaging public infrastructure and keeping the fire brigade and disaster management teams on their toes. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Just when Navi Mumbai thought the worst of Saturday's torrential rain was over, Sunday's powerful gusty winds unleashed another challenge. As many as 65 trees came down across the city in less than a day, disrupting traffic, damaging public infrastructure, and keeping the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) fire brigade and disaster management teams on their toes.
While the city received a comparatively moderate 35.32 mm rainfall between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm on Sunday, it came on the heels of an exhausting 210.76-mm downpour recorded in the previous 24 hours, leaving the ground saturated and tree roots weakened. The combination of waterlogged soil and strong winds proved enough to uproot dozens of trees across various nodes.
For commuters, Sunday became another day of delays as civic teams rushed from one location to another, clearing massive trunks and branches that had blocked roads. Emergency personnel from the Fire Department and Disaster Management Cell worked continuously through the day to restore normal traffic movement and prevent secondary accidents.
Officials said the unusually high number of tree-fall incidents was primarily due to the strong winds accompanying intermittent showers rather than heavy rainfall alone.
Among the city's rainfall stations, Airoli recorded the highest rainfall at 60.60 mm, followed by Digha (51 mm), Koparkhairane (41.80 mm), Vashi (26.60 mm), Belapur (20.30 mm), and Nerul (11.60 mm).
The civic administration remains particularly concerned as another 3.41-metre high tide is expected around 3.51 am on Monday, a situation that could aggravate flooding in low-lying pockets if fresh spells of heavy rain coincide with the tidal surge. As large parts of Navi Mumbai are situated below sea level, water discharge slows significantly during high tide, often resulting in temporary inundation.
Following instructions from Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde, emergency response teams have been placed on high alert, with additional manpower and equipment deployed at vulnerable locations. Mayor Sujata Patil is also closely monitoring the evolving weather situation.
Authorities have appealed to residents to avoid unnecessary travel during intense rain spells, stay away from trees, construction sites and electricity poles during strong winds, and report emergencies immediately to the NMMC Disaster Management Control Room.
Even as rainfall intensity fluctuates, Saturday served as a reminder that during the monsoon, it is often the wind - not just the rain - that can bring a city to a standstill.
