Mumbai, (The Hindu): After a day’s hiatus, the city experienced a short but heavy pre-monsoon shower, accompanied by strong winds, thunder and lightning, on Monday. The thundershower in the evening led to waterlogging in several places, disrupted suburban railway services and delayed flights. The BMC reported 39 tree-falls across the city, mostly in the western suburbs, which added to the brief chaos.

After several torrid weeks of summer, the first pre-monsoon shower on Saturday brought welcome relief, and several more have been forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for this week. Civic officials said between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., 26 mm of rainfall was recorded at Dadar, causing waterlogging at Hindmata junction before dewatering pumps were used. Waterlogging was reported in Dharavi, Kabutarkhana, Nagpada and King’s Circle as well.

Rain in the eastern suburbs was moderate, while the western suburbs of Andheri and Kandivali recorded close to 46 mm of rainfall in one hour.

Harbour Line services between Seawoods and Belapur stations were disrupted around 7.30 p.m. due to an overhead electrical equipment (OHE) issue, Sunil Udasi, CPRO, Central Railway, said, adding locals resumed journeys by 8.10 p.m. A similar issue hit Harbour Line services between Andheri and Bandra. Officials said trains were around 30 minutes behind schedule, leaving passengers waiting.

Two hoardings fell due to the wind at Marine Lines and Bandra on the Western Line, disrupting services. Sanjay Mishra, Divisional Railway Manager, Western Railway (Mumbai) said officials were on the spot working on a solution. Services were delayed by up to 30 minutes.

At the city airport, rain and wind delayed landings and takeoffs for nearly 30 minutes between 8.15 p.m. and 8.45 p.m. In all, nine flights, including incoming international ones, were diverted to Ahmedabad and Baroda, while some flights preferred to circle the airport till the weather cleared.

“Gusty winds made it inadvisable for safe flight operations,” an Air Traffic Controller said.