04 July,2026 06:41 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Devendra Fadnavis. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday urged citizens across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the Pune-Nashik belt to avoid unnecessary travel during the adverse weather conditions, reported PTI.
He further said people should strictly follow official weather alerts and step out only when necessary to reduce the risk of accidents caused by heavy rain and storms as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast warned of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms continuing till July 6.
The IMD has forecast very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and the Pune-Nashik belt till July 6. Some areas are expected to receive rainfall significantly above normal levels, reported the news agency.
A red alert has been issued for Mumbai, where several areas have already recorded more than 100 mm rainfall in the last 24 hours.
The government is also sending SMS alerts every three hours and sharing updates through multiple communication channels. Disaster response teams, including the NDRF and SDRF, have been placed on alert, as per reports.
Responding to criticism over the newly constructed Connecting Link on the Pune-Mumbai Expressway, the Chief Minister said reports of potholes were being "amplified".
He clarified that newly built roads undergo a natural testing phase during the first monsoon and final work, including the last layer of surfacing, is completed after the rains.
According to him, any genuine deficiencies noticed during this period are identified and corrected. He also said that some minor issues reported on the Connecting Link will be addressed.
Fadnavis highlighted that the project, developed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), includes major engineering works such as some of the country's largest bridges and India's first tunnel constructed beneath a dam, as per reports.
He said such infrastructure achievements should be acknowledged while ensuring that any shortcomings are properly corrected.
(With PTI Inputs)
