Maharashtra rain live updates: IMD downgrades rain alert for Mumbai, Thane as heavy rainfall belt shifts southwards

After a portion of the parking space of Ramnivas society in Ghatkopar caved in, a car sank inside early on Sunday. A video of the car sinking into a large crater and disappearing within seconds quickly went viral on social media.

Strong winds with speed reaching 40-50 kmph gusting to 60kmph likely to prevail along and off North Maharashtra coast on June 12-16. Fishermen are advised not to venture along and off North Maharashtra coast during the above mentioned period, IMD said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday evening downgraded its "red alert" warning of "extremely heavy rain" in Mumbai and neighbouring Thane district for the next two days. The warning has been now changed to "orange alert", which means "heavy to very heavy rain". "Extremely heavy rainfall belt has shifted south wards. So warnings are downgraded. Still, IMD expects heavy to very heavy rainfall in the city and suburbs," said Shubhangi Bhute, deputy director, IMD Mumbai.

Monsoon has made rapid progress over some parts of the country so far this season and could reach northwest India almost seven days before time, India Meteorological Department told TOI on Saturday.

A huge portion of the bastion of the 15th century Belapur fort collapsed on Saturday afternoon. The watchtower portion of the bastion, which collapsed, is located near Kille gaothan junction on Palm Beach Road, opposite the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation headquarters.

Heavy rain on Saturday morning saw several low-lying areas in Mumbai go down under again – the second time in just four days after the city saw the arrival of monsoon with robust showers on June 9. Chronic spots like Gandhi Market at King’s Circle, Bandra National College Road, Sion Road No. 24 and Gazdhar Bandh in Santacruz were waterlogged, owing to which traffic was slow-moving or had to be diverted.

Following heavy rain, Powai lake that supplies water for industrial needs overflowed on Saturday at 3pm. Last year, the lake overflowed on July 5.

The city witnessed heavy downpour from the early hours of Saturday and the IMD upgraded its alert from orange to red for the day, indicating thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds and extremely heavy rain at isolated places.