Heavy rain throws life out of gear in Mumbai

Normal life was thrown out of gear in the city on Tuesday due to heavy overnight rain that led to severe water logging in many parts and badly disrupted road, rail and air traffic.

The heavy downpour accompanied by gusty winds since Monday evening led to traffic snarls at various places. Suburban trains were also running late by 30-45 minutes due to waterlogging on the tracks.

Central railways was running 30 to 45 minutes late while Harbour line and Western lines are running 10 to 15 minutes, the railways said.

Several low lying areas including King's circle, Sion, Andheri Milan subway, Hind Mata were inundated and traffic police said the movement on western and eastern highways were affected badly.

According to Mumbai International Airport Limited, visibility at the airport has been reduced to 800 ft. Incoming flights were delayed by 15 minutes while the departure of the flights was more or less on time.

The rainfall recorded till 5.30 am was 93.4 mm at Colaba in south Mumbai and 125.6 mm at Santa Cruz in western suburbs.

Water logging was also reported at Wadala truck terminus, Maratha Mandir, Khar-Andheri subways, Deonar colonies and some parts of Govandi. Several trees were also uprooted due to strong winds in the city.

The weather bureau said frequent spells of heavy to very heavy rain with strong winds will continue.

High Tide Warning - Mumbai

Floods in Mumbai are attributable to simultaneous occurrence of rainfall and high tides. If, the rainfall is in excess of 200 mm in a day (24 hrs), floods can occur anytime irrespective of tides. However, if there is moderate rainfall but the tide is in excess of 4.50 meters at the same time, the city of Mumbai is sure to get flooded.

Accordingly, heavy floods are anticipated on the following days in Mumbai, if there is excessive rainfall at the time of high tides, since the tides are extremely high on these days: -

Date	Day	Time	Ht. of Tide (m)
24th June 2009	Wednesday	1:41 PM	4.95 m
25th June 2009	Thursday	2:24 PM	4.97 m
23rd July 2009	Thursday	1:23 PM	5.01 m
24th July 2009	Friday	2:03 PM	5.05 m
25th July 2009	Saturday	2:43 PM	4.94 m

BMC has already planned to keep the schools closed on 24 July 2009 since the tide level is record high of last 100 years on this day.

Mumbaites are, therefore, requested to cooperate with the administration by restricting their movements and certainly not to take their vehicles out on the roads these days.

There are speculations about very high waves on 22 July 2009 due to solar eclipse.

Public should, therefore, keep away from the beaches that day.

Forecast | Heavy rainfall disrupts normal life in Mumbai

Heavy monsoon disrupts life of Mumbai, all you see is flooded streets with pedestrians walking through knee-deep water facing lots of difficulty in commuting.

Many commuters were stranded on the flooded streets as their vehicles broke down. Traffic Jam is also a major problem.

Some educational institutes in the city declared holiday, in afternoon on account of heavy railfall since morning.

According to the municipal officers of the city, about 1 billion rupees are spent each year on bracing the city for the monsoon downpours. Yet rains continue to disrupt normal life.

People in low lying areas, and special those living near sea shore like Parle (W), Santa cruz (W), area start searcing for High and Low tides in Mumbai.

Mamata's izzat, yuva, turant bonanza

Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee has delivered a please-all railway budget; there's no increase in passenger or freight fares and there's a massive list of amenities and concessions.

But Mamata's speech in Parliament was also a very political one with frequent references to her campaign slogan Ma Mati Manush and a host of benefits for West Bengal.

Her trademark jhola on Friday carried the budget papers, Mamata walked in to present her vision of railways 2009.

Life's journey is one of dignity and train journey is also like that and Didi didn't disappoint.

Her main focus

• Passenger, freight fares unchanged
• Focus on amenities, cleanliness, safety, punctuality
• Izzat scheme: 25-rupee monthly tickets for 100 km travel
• Yuva trains for youngsters: Rs 299 for 1,500 km
• Turant Scheme: 12 non-stop express trains
• Special battalion, more women commandos for women travelers

And of course, Mamata's bag of goodies for West Bengal.

Mamata's Bengal express

• 18 new trains
• Model stations for Lalgarh, Singur
• 90 new stations in West Bengal

"Priorities for the railways are safety, good food and punctuality," said Mamata Banerjee.

A budget that earned her praise and a good word even from unexpected quarters.

"All that was being claimed about Railways in the last five years, has been exposed today," said Nitish Kumar, Chief Minister, Bihar.

There was the obvious opposition but by and large Mamata Di's budget was approved by most.

"If the promises are fulfilled, only then does the budget have any relevance," said Brinda Karat, Leader, CPM.

There could be some revision in passenger fares and changes in the Tatkal scheme to make it more passenger friendly.

So, while Lalu ensured that economically the railways stayed healthy, Mamata Banerjee is now trying to give it a human face.

Postpone IPL till after polls, says P Chidambaram

Home Minister P Chidambaram has told NDTV that IPL should be postponed until the General Elections are over.

The minster thinks that sharing security between polls and IPL is a matter of concern and has asked the Union Home Secretary to discuss new possible dates with the IPL organisers.

Commenting on the Lahore attack, the minister told NDTV group editor Barkha Dutt that it came as a result of Pakistan's policy on terror. "We are concerned it could spill over to India," he added.

PTI adds: P Chidambaram expressed shock over the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan.

"We condemn the incident. We are sorry for the Sri Lankan team. We hope that the players, I read two three names - Samarveera, Mendis, I hope they are safe and will recover. We are shocked by that incident," he said in New Delhi

Terror Targets Cricket

Down but not injured: Ajantha Mendis, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Thilan Samaraweera, Tharanga Paranavitana and team coach Paul Farbrace got injured during the attack. (AFP)

Lankan team attacked in Lahore, Pak tour called off

Five Sri Lankan cricket players have been injured in a terror attack in area around Liberty Market near Gaddafi stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. Those who have been injured are Ajantha Mendis, Tharanga Paranavitana, Thilan Samaraweera, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene and team coach Paul Farbrace.

The injured players are back in their hotel. Earlier, they were taken to hospital in the city.

The 4th umpire Ahsan Raza has also been injured and has been reported to be critical.

According to the team manager, the incident took place when the team was heading for the third day's play in the second Test against Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's tour of Pakistan has been cancelled and the team has been called back.

Five policemen in Pakistan have been killed in the attack. The entire area around Liberty market has been cordoned off.

According to the Pakistan police, 12 terrorists were involved in the attack on Lankan team. The terrorists were armed with rockets, grenades and AK-47s.

Police has arrested four suspects in the Model Town area of Pakistan.

Pakistan sports minister has apologised to Lanka government for the gruesome attack.

"We are assessing the situation," Pakistan cricket board chief Ejaz Butt said.

According to the reports, army helicopter airlifted the Lankan players to Lahore airport. The team will fly back to Colombo via Abu Dhabi. Three doctors are accompanying the Sri Lankan team till Colombo.

Sri Lanka has sent foreign minister Rohitha Bogollegama to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan army chief has met Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari.

India look to decode Murali, Mendis

With the famed Indian batting order's reputation in tatters, a dejected India captain Anil Kumble on Saturday said his side will have to find ways to take on the Lankan spin duo of Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis if they have to come back in the second Test.

Muralitharan and debutant Mendis shared 19 wickets between them to hand the Indians a humiliating innings and 239 run defeat in the first Test here.

"We were not good enough against the spinners. We just capitulated (to them). We have made comebacks in the past. It is just a matter of getting together, but we have to look at the way of tackling both Murali and Mendis," Kumble said at the post-match press conference.

Kumble rued the dropped catches early in the Lankan first innings which had contributed to the hosts' mammoth 600 for six which made it a Herculean task for the famed Indian batting order to save the match.

"Obviously 600 on the board did not help us. We had a good opportunity in the beginning when they were about 100 for 2. We dropped a few catches. Warnapura was dropped, Mahela Jayawardene was dropped a couple of times, though it's tough to bowl first on a wicket which is dry at the start," he said.

"Nothing went right for us in the match. Other than planning, it is important to do well in fielding," he added.

The Indian captain also rued on a few dismissals which did not go his team's way when reviewed by the experimental referral system.

"A few dismissals were obviously negated under the referral system. The new system is something that we have to take forward. It definitely requires a review but it is too early to say."

Kumble denied his team was under prepared for the Sri Lankan tour and said a lot of planning had gone through ahead of the visit.

"We have people who have played Test cricket for more than 15 or 20 years. You can't find a better experience batting line up. We hope to cope with the spin in second Test."

Asked if India paid the price for not focusing on Ajantha Mendis, Kumble said, "Murali and Chaminda Vaas are probably the bowlers we were looking for. Nothing has changed and obviously he (Murali) is the champion bowler."

An elated Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene was a bit surprised by the collapse of the Indian batting and said he did not expect the victory would come so soon on the fourth day.

"When you see that (Indian) batting line up you would not expect them to buckle and (expect them to) give you a fight. That is a surprising factor. I am sure they will come back strongly at us," he said.

The home captain said though they will celebrate their victory but "can't stop working hard and have to try and maintain standards".

'Mystery' spinner Mendis said he had hoped to do well in the debut match but did not expect to take so many wickets.

"The senior players guided me," he said.

Muralitharan said if Mendis keeps his calm and go on learning he would get a lot of wickets in international cricket.

The champion off-spinner said the umpiring referral system was helpful for cricket as there could be "no more excuses" (for defeats).

thanks to ndtv

SpiceJet renegotiating Boeing deal

Faced with huge losses owing to a slowdown in passenger traffic and higher fuel and operating costs, the Delhi-based low cost air carrier SpiceJet on Saturday said it was re-negotiating its deal with Boeing.
"We are re-negotiating our deal with Boeing now. We prefer sub-leasing aircraft either through wet sub-lease or dry sub-lease," said Samyukta Sridharan, a senior executive officer of SpiceJet. Wet sub-lease comes with pilot and crew while in case of dry sub-lease, it is only the aircraft.

This move to step back from earlier decision to buy aircraft from Boeing comes despite the US billionaire investor W.L. Ross infused Rs.34.5 billion ($821.4 million) in the airline July 16. SpiceJet is understood to have delayed the purchase of seven of the 30 aircraft it ordered in 2005.

The airline is currently operating 14 planes, delivered between 2005 and 2007. SpiceJet's load factor last month was 78 percent against 90 percent in June last year.

Earlier this week, Boeing senior vice-president Dinesh Keskar here ruled out any Indian carrier deferring on deliveries of new aircraft. SpiceJet had ordered all its aircraft from the Boeing.

According to airline sources, a few other Indian low-cost airlines also plan to cancel or cut deliveries of new aircraft or to sub-lease them.

However, scheduled carriers like Air India and Jet Airways are expected to take deliveries of its new aircraft as scheduled.

But the Vijay Mallya-promoted Kingfisher Airlines has reportedly deferred plans to buy 29 narrow-bodied A320s, which it committed to purchase from Airbus last year.

The company is in talks with international carriers to sell two of the five A340-500 aircraft it had committed to buy from Airbus last year. The airline may also defer taking deliveries of 29 narrow-bodied A320s, airline sources said.

Kingfisher spokespersons were not available for comment. The airline has about 20 deliveries scheduled every year till 2012, but schedules would be revised.

Kingfisher currently has 84 aircraft, next only to the fleet strength of the Naresh Goyal-promoted Jet Airways, which has 87 aircraft.

thanks to ndtv

Sunday, July 27, 2008 (New Delhi)

The serial blasts in Ahmedabad on Saturday come a day after the blasts in Bangalore. In fact, there seems to be some similarities in the strikes.

While Bangalore was rocked by eight blasts, in Ahmedabad, there were 16 explosions.

The blasts in both the cities were of low-intensity and were planted in crowded places.

And both the states, Karnataka and Gujarat are ruled by the BJP. Party's senior leader LK Advani refused to comment on whether BJP-ruled states were being targeted. However, he demanded that the Centre must have stringent anti-terror laws in place.

thanks to ndtv