MUMBAI: Torrential rainfall threw vehicular traffic out of gear on Wednesday particularly on the Eastern and Western Express Highways.
Though the number of vehicles out on the streets was lesser than other days, low visibility and breakdown of vehicles led to snarl-ups.
Delays of close to half an hour were reported on WEH and EEH.
Heavy waterlogging was reported near Suman Nagar junction which resulted in bumper-to-bumper traffic between Sion and Vikhroli for several hours in the morning and afternoon.
Among the vehicles stuck on this stretch was an ambulance.
“We deployed a water pumping machine but it wasnt enough as the rain showed no signs of abating.
Another pumping machine had to be brought in and by 2pm, the water was cleared,” said a traffic official.
The closure of four subways– Milan, Khar, Andheri and Malad– badly affected East-West traffic movement.
Motorists were compelled to take a detour to reach their destinations, increasing travel time.
A railway commuter tweeted that the heavy snarls prevented him from reaching Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) on time and was likely to miss his train to Manda, UP.
Snarls were reported between Kandivali and Andheri on WEH.
At Khar, waterlogging upto four feet was reported on the SV Road, near Khar Masjid, and vehicles were diverted via Linking Road.
On WEH, roads below flyovers were waterlogged.
The stretch under the Vakola flyover was eventually closed.
“Stuck at Hans Bhugra Marg, Kalina, for the past three hours.
Heavy waterlogging at the bottom of the flyover.
So frustrating…..the same story every time,” tweeted Avani Mahendra, a motorist.
Snarls were also reported at King’s Circle, Wadala flyover and Priyadarshini.
“Massive traffic jam..
50 minutes from Andheri Ghatkopar Link Road flyover, Ghatkopar East to Amar Mahal, Chembur.
The season’s first rain has paralysed traffic,” tweeted Sunil Ghate, a motorist.