Amid the heavy rain showers lashing parts of Mumbai, an 8-foot-long Indian rat snake created a panicking situation. The unexpected visit of the snake in the residential premises prompted a swift call to the Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare (RAWW). As reported, the Indian rat snake was seen entering the electric meter room of a housing society at Veena Nagar in Mulund West. Acting swiftly on the information, Kunal Thakkar from Resqink Association for Wildlife Welfare reached the location and safely rescued the reptile. After the snake was safely rescued by Kunal Thakkar, it was medically examined by Dr. Kirti Sathe. After a thorough medical examination, the non-venomous reptile was released back to its natural habitat in coordination with the Forest Department. Pawan Sharma, Founder and President of RAWW, noted that “The snake was suspected to be displaced due to heavy rains, which is quite common in the suburban areas sharing space with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Citizens have learnt the way of coexistence over the years and opt for a safe rescue and rehab rather than eliminating snakes by taking matters into their own hands, sending a positive message to society at large.
25 July,2025 02:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet JadhavThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for several districts of Maharashtra, especially along the Konkan belt, warning of intense showers through the weekend. In its latest weather update, IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar, indicating “heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Friday and Saturday. For Palghar, a red alert has been issued, indicating “extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places” on Friday. A red alert has also been issued for the ghat areas of Pune and Nashik. The rainfall is likely to subside early next week, as the IMD has predicted moderate showers in many parts of the state. Meanwhile, for the districts in central and eastern Maharashtra, including Dhule, Nandurbar, Jalgaon, and Chandrapur, IMD has issued a thunderstorm alert, with wind speeds likely to reach 30–40 kmph in some places. The department has cautioned residents, especially those in the low-lying areas, about possible localised flooding, disruption of transport and municipal services, falling trees, landslides in hilly terrain, and damage to standing crops and plantations. Fishermen and travellers have been advised to exercise caution, with squally weather and rough sea conditions expected along the Konkan coast. In its agrometeorological advisory, the weather bureau has urged farmers to harvest mature crops, ensure proper storage of grains, and support young plants to prevent lodging. Livestock should be kept indoors, especially during thunderstorm activity, the IMD advisory stated. Mumbai lake levels: Water content in seven reservoirs rise to 87.21 The water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 87.21 per cent. As per the BMC on Friday (July 25), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 12,62,289 million litres, which amounts to 87.21 per cent of their total capacity. The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes. Of these, Tansa has 98.77 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 100 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 92.68 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 77.08 per cent, Bhatsa 85.57 per cent, Vehar 61.34 per cent and Tulsi 63.81 per cent. Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill. Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon.
25 July,2025 02:32 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn a rare and heartwarming event, a baby was born mid-flight on an Air India Express journey from Muscat to Mumbai. The delivery was successfully assisted by the airline’s trained cabin crew, with timely support from a nurse who happened to be among the passengers. According to the airline, the crew’s professionalism and preparedness, along with swift coordination with ground support, ensured a safe delivery and immediate medical attention for both the mother and newborn, as per the statement released by Air India Express. As the Thai national passenger went into labour mid-air, the crew quickly sprang into action, relying on their intensive training to create a calm and safe environment. The airline praised the team for their empathy, composure, and remarkable presence of mind during the emergency, which helped bring the new life into the world safely. The statement further mentioned that the pilots promptly alerted Air Traffic Control (ATC) to request a priority landing at Mumbai, where medical teams and an ambulance were ready upon arrival. Upon touchdown, both mother and baby were immediately transferred to a nearby hospital for further care, accompanied by a female airline staff member to provide continued support. The airline highlighted that seamless coordination between the cockpit and cabin crew, ground staff, airport authorities, and emergency responders reflected its values of agility, teamwork and care. Air India Express stated that it is actively coordinating with the Consulate General of Thailand in Mumbai to assist the guest with her onward travel and ensure a smooth return to her home country. The Muscat-Mumbai flight, during which the rare mid-air delivery took place, was captained by Captain Ashish Vaghani and Captain Faraz Ahmed. The safe and successful delivery was made possible through the efforts of the senior cabin crew member Sneha Naga, along with Aishwarya Shirke, Asiya Khalid, and Muskan Chauhan. The airline lauded their teamwork, preparedness and professionalism in handling the extraordinary situation with calm and care. "This extraordinary moment not only highlighted the preparedness of the crew but also demonstrated the spirit of compassion and teamwork of the Air India Express," the airline stated.
25 July,2025 11:41 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Navi Mumbai police have registered a case against two 24-year-old men for allowing a woman to perform 'aura farming', a new global craze among youngsters, on the bonnet of a moving car, an official said on Friday. The stunt was allegedly performed on a Mercedes-Benz car on a busy road in the Kharghar area on July 20, and its video went viral on social media. The accused, Alfesh Azam Sheikh and Rafique Sulde, do not have a valid driving licence, the official said. The viral video shows a young woman standing on the bonnet of the moving car and performing 'aura farming', which refers to the act of deliberately doing 'cool' or 'stylish' things. Aura framing has spread like wildfire after an Indonesian boy wowed the internet with his smooth, dramatic poses. "Such reckless acts not only endanger the lives of those involved but also create a sense of fear and alarm among the general public," the official said. Sheikh and Sulde have been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections concerning rash driving, negligent conduct with respect to machinery, endangering life or personal safety of others, and attempt to commit culpable homicide. Provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act have also been invoked in the case, the official added.On Thursday, police had booked five persons, including three women, for allegedly performing a dangerous stunt in a moving car in Mumbai's Malad area. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
25 July,2025 11:17 AM IST | Navi Mumbai | PTIMumbai is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs on Friday, as per the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The sky will remain generally cloudy throughout the day. The IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of intense rain at isolated locations. Residents are advised to stay cautious, especially in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.4 degrees Celsius on Friday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 29.2 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. High tide is expected at 12:40 pm, with water levels reaching 4.66 meters. Low tide will occur at 6:46 pm, with a depth of 1.40 meters. In the early hours of Friday, another high tide is forecast at 12:35 am (July 26), reaching 4.08 meters, followed by low tide at 6:31 am, expected at 0.49 meters. Commuters and residents are urged to plan travel accordingly and follow civic advisories. Meanwhile, the water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 87.21 per cent. As per the BMC on Friday (July 25), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 12,62,289 million litres, which amounts to 87.21 per cent of their total capacity. The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes. Of these, Tansa has 98.77 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 100 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 92.68 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 77.08 per cent, Bhatsa 85.57 per cent, Vehar 61.34 per cent and Tulsi 63.81 per cent. Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill. Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon.
25 July,2025 10:26 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentMaharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that no one will be protected under political pressure in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. His remarks came after the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's order acquitting 12 accused in the blasts, reported news agency ANI. Pawar stated that the state has been instructed to thoroughly investigate the matter and, if necessary, impose the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). "Orders have been given not to save anyone due to political pressure. I became the guardian minister only today. The incident happened before that. I am confident the judiciary will take all facts into account and give a fair decision," he said, reported ANI. He stressed that the government's image is important and assured that justice will be served. "Devendraji (Fadnavis) is in Delhi today. We will speak once he returns," Pawar said, reported ANI. Speaking on the controversy involving Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate, Pawar said he will meet Kokate to understand the facts of the case. A video involving Kokate from inside the Maharashtra Assembly has surfaced, prompting Speaker Rahul Narwekar and Minister Ram Shinde to order an investigation. Pawar said there had been disturbances in the Assembly earlier as well, and these incidents are now under investigation. "Strict instructions were given earlier to maintain proper behaviour in the House. This has happened for the second time, and I will discuss the matter face-to-face," he said, reported ANI. Reacting to recent allegations and reports of a pen drive with sensitive content, Pawar challenged the opposition to present it to the public. "Stop hiding it. What kind of pen drives are these? Show them. Let the truth come out before people," he said, adding that four ministers are being mentioned in the matter, and the police will probe accordingly, reported ANI. He also commented on the Marathi and Hindi row and said, "Here, Marathi is spoken first, then Hindi. This is Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar's Maharashtra. If someone cannot speak Marathi, they should at least say they respect the language." (With inputs from ANI)
25 July,2025 10:14 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentAmid the ongoing language row in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has asserted Marathi's primacy in the State, saying, 'Here, Marathi is spoken first, then Hindi," reported news agency ANI. "Here, Marathi is spoken first, then Hindi; this is Shahu, Phule and Ambedkar's Maharashtra," Ajit Pawar told reporters in Mumbai on Thursday. "After leaving their mother tongue, people speak Hindi outside the state and then speak English. If those living here cannot speak Marathi, they should say that they do not know Marathi; we respect them, nothing like this will happen," he added, reported ANI. Meanwhile, weighing in on the language row, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that there is nothing wrong with requesting someone to speak in Marathi within the State. However, he added that his government will not tolerate manhandling anyone in the name of language. "It is natural that the Marathi language will be requested to be spoken in Maharashtra. This is not wrong," Fadnavis told reporters in Delhi on Thursday. "But any controversy over language, or manhandling anyone over the language, will not be tolerated. We have taken strict action when any such incident has taken place. If anyone attempts to do any such thing, we will take action," he added, reported ANI. These remarks come amid heated debates in Maharashtra over the alleged "imposition" of Hindi and the choice of medium of instruction in schools. The controversy in the State began with a government resolution issued on April 16, mandating the introduction of Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5. The move drew sharp criticism, with many accusing the state government of attempting to impose Hindi. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan urged people to refrain from spreading hatred based on linguistic differences, warning that such attitudes could harm the state in the long run. Sharing a personal experience from his time as an MP in Tamil Nadu, the Maharashtra Governor had said, "...one day I saw some people beating someone. When I asked them about the problem, they were speaking in Hindi. Then, the hotel owner told me that they don't speak Tamil, and people were beating them to speak Tamil," reported ANI. He added, "If we spread this kind of hatred, then who will come and invest...? In the long run, we are only harming Maharashtra. I'm unable to understand Hindi, and that is an obstacle for me. We must learn the maximum number of languages, and we should be proud of our mother tongue," reported ANI. The language row has resulted in sporadic violence in the state, including assaults on Hindi-speaking individuals by political workers. (With inputs from ANI)
25 July,2025 10:07 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentWeighing in on the language row in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said there is nothing wrong with requesting someone to speak in Marathi. However, he added that his government will not tolerate manhandling anyone in the name of language, reported news agency ANI. "It is natural that the Marathi language will be requested to be spoken in Maharashtra. This is not wrong," Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Delhi on Thursday. "But any controversy over language, or manhandling anyone over the language, will not be tolerated. We have taken strict action when any such incident has taken place. If anyone attempts to do any such thing, we will take action," he added, reported ANI. These remarks come amid heated debates in Maharashtra over the alleged "imposition" of Hindi and the choice of medium of instruction in schools. The controversy in the State began with a government resolution issued on April 16, mandating the introduction of Hindi as a third language from Classes 1 to 5. The move drew sharp criticism, with many accusing the state government of attempting to impose Hindi. Earlier this week, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan urged people to refrain from spreading hatred based on linguistic differences, warning that such attitudes could harm the state in the long run, reported ANI. Sharing a personal experience from his time as an MP in Tamil Nadu, the Maharashtra Governor had said, "...one day I saw some people beating someone. When I asked them about the problem, they were speaking in Hindi. Then, the hotel owner told me that they don't speak Tamil, and people were beating them to speak Tamil," reported ANI. He added, "If we spread this kind of hatred, then who will come and invest...? In the long run, we are only harming Maharashtra. I'm unable to understand Hindi, and that is an obstacle for me. We must learn the maximum number of languages, and we should be proud of our mother tongue," reported ANI. The language row has resulted in sporadic violence in the state, including assaults on Hindi-speaking individuals by political workers. (With inputs from ANI)
25 July,2025 09:52 AM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe water levels in lakes supplying drinking water to Mumbai have risen following heavy rainfall in their catchment areas. According to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, the combined stock in the seven reservoirs that provide water to the city now stands at 87.21 per cent. As per the BMC on Friday (July 25), the collective water stock in these reservoirs is 12,62,289 million litres, which amounts to 87.21 per cent of their total capacity. The BMC supplies drinking water daily from Upper Vaitarna, Modak Sagar, Tansa, Middle Vaitarna, Bhatsa, Vihar, and Tulsi lakes. Of these, Tansa has 98.77 per cent water stock, Modak Sagar 100 per cent, Middle Vaitarna 92.68 per cent, Upper Vaitarna 77.08 per cent, Bhatsa 85.57 per cent, Vehar 61.34 per cent and Tulsi 63.81 per cent. Lower (Modak Sagar), Middle and Upper Vaitarna lakes, along with Tansa, supply water to the western suburbs from Dahisar Check Naka to Bandra and to the western parts of the city from Mahim to Malabar Hill. Bhatsa, Vehar, and Tulsi together form the Bhatsa system. Water from this system is treated at the Panjarpur Water Treatment Plant and distributed to the eastern parts of Mumbai, covering the eastern suburbs from Mulund Check Naka to Sion and further to Mazgaon. Meanwhile, Mumbai is expected to witness heavy to very heavy rainfall across the city and suburbs on Friday, as per the latest forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The sky will remain generally cloudy throughout the day. The IMD has issued an orange alert for the city, warning of intense rain at isolated locations. Residents are advised to stay cautious, especially in low-lying areas prone to waterlogging. The IMD's Santacruz observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 30.6 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 25.4 degrees Celsius on Friday. Meanwhile, the Colaba observatory reported a high of 29.2 degrees Celsius and a low of 25 degrees Celsius, as per the latest Mumbai weather updates. High tide is expected at 12:40 pm, with water levels reaching 4.66 meters. Low tide will occur at 6:46 pm, with a depth of 1.40 meters. In the early hours of Friday, another high tide is forecast at 12:35 am (July 26), reaching 4.08 meters, followed by low tide at 6:31 am, expected at 0.49 meters.
25 July,2025 09:42 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSpeaking to mid-day about streamlining the use of Public Parking Lots (PPLs) in Mumbai, BMC Additional Commissioner Abhijit Bangar said, “It is a fact that PPLs are not being utilised effectively. On average, they operate at a maximum of 70 per cent capacity. This is a generalised figure, many PPLs may be functioning at even lower capacities. We have received complaints regarding safety issues, lack of signages, inconsistent accessibility, and poor last-mile connectivity. These are challenges that need to be addressed on multiple levels.” He added, “We are currently in the tendering stage for a new application themed ‘Smart Parking’. This platform will map all parking spaces across the city, provide real-time data on available spots, and incorporate FASTag-based payment. Such a payment system will help address complaints of overcharging or fund misuse.” Commenting on why the earlier Mumbai Parking Authority module, part of the My BMC mobile application and similar in concept to ‘Smart Parking’, did not take off, Bangar said: “One reason was a lack of continuity in planning. We now need to assess where the previous initiative was left off, and build from there.” In response to citizen requests for a helpline to address parking issues, Bangar noted, “Helplines are labour-intensive and incur higher costs. In such cases, automated chatbots are a better solution, as they don’t require backend staff. In fact, many commercial booking platforms offer discounts to users who opt for chatbot bookings over calling helpline numbers. That said, the BMC’s past attempts to implement chatbot-based solutions haven’t been as successful as we had hoped.” On whether the BMC should take over the responsibility of levying fines for unauthorised street parking, Bangar clarified, “Ideally, the task of issuing fines for unauthorised parking should continue to rest with the traffic police. They have fine-tuned this process over the years through experience and trial-and-error methods to ensure better enforcement.”
25 July,2025 09:19 AM IST | Mumbai | Eshanpriya MSA 43-year-old traffic constable, Ganesh Patil, was tragically crushed to death by a hydra crane at Mahape MIDC on Thursday while on duty. The incident occurred around 12.30 pm when Patil was managing routine vehicular flow along the industrial route. According to police, the crane driver allegedly failed to notice the constable while taking a sharp right turn. The massive vehicle hit and ran over Patil, who sustained severe injuries. Eyewitnesses said the driver appeared unaware of the officer's presence. By the time help arrived and Patil was rushed to Vashi Municipal Hospital, doctors declared him dead. The incident has sparked fresh concerns over road safety, especially regarding the movement of heavy vehicles in congested industrial zones. The accused driver has been taken into custody and booked under relevant sections of the BNS. His statement has been recorded, and police are verifying whether negligence or mechanical failure led to the mishap. Constable Patil was known for his sincerity and discipline. The Patil family, the media, colleagues and local community, as well as the local police fraternity, is in deep shock. Aabasaheb Patil, senior police inspector, Turbhe police station, said, “It is very sad that traffic police constable, Ganesh Patil, lost his life while performing his duty. We have arrested the accused Ramesh Kumar Gaund, 39. He is from Uttar Pradesh. The investigation is ongoing, and we are verifying whether negligence, poor visibility, or mechanical failure caused the accident. “We have lost not just a colleague, but a dedicated officer who served the force with commitment,” said one of his colleagues on the condition of anonymity. Patil hailed from Samner village in Pachora taluka, Jalgaon district. He was the younger son of retired PSI Atmaram Daga Patil and the younger brother of Rajendra Patil, the deputy editor and Navi Mumbai bureau chief of Pudhari newspaper. The funeral procession of the late Ganesh Patil will be held on Friday, July 25, at 10 am from his residence in Samner, Pachora taluka, followed by the final rites at the village cremation ground.
25 July,2025 09:14 AM IST | Mumbai | Amarjeet SinghADVERTISEMENT
