In the midst of a severe dust storm in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar this evening, a huge billboard crashed on a petrol station, perhaps trapping 100 people beneath its wreckage. According to the police, 67 people were rescued, 59 were hurt, and three people died.

The gas station was across from the billboard. Images depict the building collapsing in the center of the refueling station. Several cars at the gas station had their roofs torn off by the billboard’s metal frame.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are reportedly at the scene searching for survivors who may be buried beneath the rubble, according to the police.

Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, stated in a post on X that the state government has mandated an inquiry into the event.

The powerful dust storm took Mumbai off guard, severely impairing transportation, uprooting trees and buildings, and causing power outages in numerous areas of the financial hub. When the dust storm hit the city, the sky darkened, and people shared pictures on social media.

Amidst a lowering sky, local trains, a portion of the metro system, and airport services were momentarily suspended.
“Due to the inclement weather and dust storms in the city, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) temporarily suspended flight operations for around 66 minutes due to low visibility and gusty winds,” the airport said in a statement.

At 17:03 hours, operations got back underway. There were 15 diversions at the airport during this period. Last week, CSMIA successfully finished its pre-monsoon runway work, guaranteeing secure and efficient aircraft operations. The airport is unwavering in its commitment to prioritizing seamless operations and efficiency for the safety of its passengers “it stated.
A “nowcast warning” with lightning and moderate to heavy rain was issued for Thane, Palghar, and Mumbai by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Mumbai.

Following the placement of a billboard on the overhead wire, the metro between Aarey and Andheri East was discontinued.
Strong winds caused an overhead equipment pole between Thane and Mulund to bend, which had an impact on suburban trains. The chief spokesperson for Central Railway said that the suburban services on the main line had been discontinued.
Although the unseasonal rain provided some relief from the intense heat, the power loss in Kalwa, Thane, and other locations caused additional problems for the locals.
In several parts of the city, trees were also uprooted by the dust storm. Moderate rain was reported by the satellite towns of Thane, Ambernath, Badlapur, Kalyan, and Ulhasnagar.