Mumbai, July 1 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert on Wednesday as heavy rains lashed Mumbai as well as neighbouring Thane and Palghar, even as an orange alert was also issued in surrounding areas for heavy to very heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials said that due to heavy rains, water levels in Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes which supply drinking water to Mumbai rose by 1.72 metres, though Upper Vaitarna and Bhatsa, two of the largest water-supply lakes, have experienced a decline in water levels.
IMD scientist Bikram Singh said, "In the past 24 hours we have received good rains, and there were heavy to very heavy rai...