Mumbai, India

The Indian financial capital, Mumbai, witnessed a chaotic beginning to the season’s first rain, on Monday (May 13) after strong winds and a brief dust storm knocked down a massive billboard which reportedly killed eight people and injured dozens of others. 

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At least 16 people were killed and more than 70 others were injured after a 100-foot-tall hoarding collapsed in the city’s Ghatkopar area on Monday evening amid rain and gusty wind, reported news agency ANI citing local civil officials. 

So far, 88 people have been rescued, said the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). One team of NDRF personnel was deployed earlier to help with the search and rescue operation. 

Around 64 people were taken to the Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar and one person is in "critical condition," said BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani. He also said that the death toll has risen to eight. 

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Video: Massive billboard collapses

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The board fell on a petrol pump along the Eastern Express Highway prompting police, Mumbai Fire Brigade, and other agencies to rush to the site. 

After the incident, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis took to X and said, "A high-level inquiry has been ordered into the incident."

Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde also arrived at the site to take stock of the situation on Monday evening. "Rescuing the people is our priority. Government will take care of the treatment of those who are injured in the incident," said the CM.  

He added, "Rs 5 lakh ($5,987) will be given to the family of those who have lost their lives. I have directed the concerned authorities to audit all such hoardings in Mumbai." 

“Some people are feared trapped under the hoarding and a search and rescue operation is underway,” said the local officials, according to news agency PTI. 

The Mumbai police took to X and said that the collapse took place at 4:30 pm (local time). 

‘Scary’ incident in Wadala leaves one person trapped in car

In a separate incident in the city’s Wadala area, a 14-storey parking structure, near Barkat Ali Naka, also collapsed. One person was reportedly trapped inside one of the cars. 

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The incident also left around 30-50 cars damaged, according to media reports. The police and Mumbai Fire Brigade have reached the site. 

Flights disrupted

As many as 15 flights were diverted from the city’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) after it suspended operations for over an hour due to low visibility and rains, according to the airport operator. 

The flights were diverted to different airports and the operation of the runway resumed at 5:03 pm (local time), said the airport, in a statement. 

“Due to the inclement weather and dust storms in the city, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) temporarily suspended flight operations for around 66 minutes due to low visibility and gusty winds.”

It added, “CSMIA last week completed its pre-monsoon runway maintenance successfully, ensuring safe and smooth aircraft operations. Committed to efficiency and passenger safety, the airport remains steadfast to prioritize seamless operations.”

Metros and local trains disrupted

Metro services between Aarey and Andheri East metro stations were suspended after a banner landed on the overhead wire due to strong winds, said a spokesperson from Metro Rail, as per PTI.

Local trains were also disrupted after an overhead equipment pole between Thane and Mulund stations got bent. Additionally, suburban services on the Main Line were suspended, said the spokesperson of Central Railway. 

Mumbaikars on social media

Residents of the city were quick to take to social media after the skies suddenly turned dark around Monday evening and strong winds and a dust storm followed. 

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Mumbai weather update

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a “nowcast warning” for Thane, Palghar and Mumbai. 

“Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and light to moderate spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph is very likely to occur at isolated places in Mumbai in the next 3-4 hours,” said an official from IMD. 

While the rainfall has brought some respite to Mumbai and its surrounding area from the scorching heat, power outages and incidents of trees falling were reported in multiple parts of the city. 

(With inputs from agencies)