Cyclone threat: Educational institutions, offices closed in Mumbai
Mumbai:With the cyclonic storm 'Phyan' menacingly approaching north Maharashtra and south Gujarat, the Maharashtra government has asked all the educational institutions and offices to close down by this afternoon. "All schools and offices
have been advised to close down for the day in view of the inclement weather that
is likely to worsen," said BMC Additional Commissioner A Maheshkar. While schools
have been asked to shut down at 1 pm, offices have been advised to close by 2
pm, Maheshkar said after a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Johny
Joseph at Mantralaya. The BMC said it was arranging for buses at the Chhatrapati
Shivaji and Churchgate terminus to ferry people back home, she added. All the
twenty-four control rooms of the BMC have been activated, she said, adding that
many trees maybe uprooted as the city and its adjoining areas were expected to
experience high-speed winds reaching upto 90 Kms per hour. The machinery has been
geared up to promptly clear the streets of the trees and people have been cautioned
against taking shelter under them. The BMC Additional Commissioner said that no
decision had been taken yet, whether the educational institutions and offices
would remain closed even on Thursday. She also confirmed that flights out of Mumbai
and railway services have been affected. Some flights and trains have been cancelled,
she added. She said that the BMC has issued a notice to the general public to
stay at home till the cyclone is over.
