Cyclone Ockhi: Mumbai schools, colleges to remain shut on Tuesday

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], Dec 4 (ANI): As Cyclone Okchi is set to make its way towards the city, schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts will remain shut on Tuesday.

Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawade took to Twitter to inform that a precautionary holiday was declared in various parts of Maharashtra due to anticipated bad weather under effect of cyclone Ockhi.

"Precautionary holiday declared for schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Sindhudurga, Thane, Raigad and Palghar Districts for the safety of the students due to the serious weather predictions on #CycloneOckhi #MumbaiRains" (sic)," he Tweeted

The disaster management unit of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also issued an advisory against visiting beaches in view of high tide alert issued for tonight and tomorrow morning due to Cyclone Ockhi.

As per BMC, tides of more than 5 metres height are expected tonight and tomorrow post midnight.

People, residing in the area of Dadar Chowpatty, have been given special instructions, as a huge crowd is expected towards the beach ahead of the Babasaheb Ambedkar Anniversary on November 6.

On the other hand, the Central Railway Mumbai Division has also geared up to tackle with the Cycle Okchi.

It has updated all the emergency numbers and emergency cell has been opened at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Kalyan.

It has also deployed more than 250 railway police force and Maharashtra State Security Force personnel on crowd management and other related activities at stations, yards etc.

The deadly cyclone, which has claimed many lives, lashed at the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala on Saturday with torrential rainfall and gusty winds. (ANI)