Mumbai News: Man Threatens Self-Immolation at CM Fadnavis' Residence
Police have detained a 39-year-old man for threatening to immolate himself outside Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ residence in Mumbai, officials said on Thursday. The man, identified as Ajit Maidagi, a resident of Solapur district, reached the CM’s official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai on Wednesday and threatened to set himself ablaze. However, he was apprehended before he could take any such step.
The man was upset as he had approached the Mantralaya (state secretariat) for some work, but it was pending. The exact nature of his grievances was not elaborated upon by the officials. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by citizens in accessing government services and the potential for such situations to escalate into public safety concerns.
A red alert was issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Maharashtra on Tuesday following several days of incessant rains. Multiple cities in the state experienced waterlogging and flooding, with Ratnagiri and Palghar districts under a red alert. Mumbai and Thane districts were placed under a yellow alert. The Southwest Monsoon advanced into the region earlier than usual, marking the earliest recorded onset in at least 75 years.
The weather bureau has warned that heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds may continue in isolated pockets of the city until Thursday morning. This has led to significant disruptions in daily life, with schools and offices advising caution and preparedness.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has imposed a Rs 10 lakh fine on four mini pumping stations for failing to install and operate pumps to clear water accumulated at key junctions in Mumbai after heavy rainfall. Vehicular traffic was severely affected due to waterlogging in areas like King’s Circle, Mantralaya, Dadar TT East, Parel TT, Kalachowki, Wadala, Hindmata, Kemps Corner, Churchgate, Chinchpokali, and Dadar.
Mumbai received record rainfall on May 26, with several areas recording up to 250 mm of rain within 13 hours. Despite the heavy downpour, the pumping stations in low-lying areas failed to clear the streets, leading to the fines imposed by the BMC. The city’s infrastructure has been under scrutiny, with calls for better planning and maintenance to prevent such issues in the future.
As the monsoon season progresses, residents and authorities are urged to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure safety and minimize the impact of adverse weather conditions.
