Thane rain disrupted Ganeshotsav preparation work on Sunday, with waterlogging, traffic congestion and fallen trees reported across parts of the city as residents and festival committees rushed to complete arrangements before the festival began on Monday.
Rain began in Thane district early on Sunday and continued intermittently through the day. The showers affected the installation of external decorations, electrical lighting and entrance arches outside several Ganesh mandals. Some committees had planned to complete the pending work on Sunday, but workers were forced to slow or stop operations because of the weather.
Thane city recorded 18.54 millimetres of rainfall between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm, according to the report. Water accumulated at the Majiwada-Kapurbawdi junction, while incidents of trees being uprooted were also reported in some areas.
Traffic movement was affected on the Eastern Express Highway, the Mumbra bypass and in the Shilphata area. The combination of persistent showers, waterlogging and increased movement linked to festival preparations led to congestion on key routes. The report did not provide details of road closures or the duration of the traffic disruptions.
The rain also affected residents shopping for decorative material for household Ganesh idols. Markets saw increased footfall as people attempted to complete purchases before the festival, but shoppers faced difficulties moving through the city and carrying materials during the showers.
Several mandals still had electrical lighting, arches and other external decorative work pending on Sunday. Sameer Sawant of the Thane District Ganeshotsav Coordination Organisation said the rain had disrupted these preparations and that workers at some locations had to halt the work.
The report did not specify whether the affected decorations were completed later on Sunday or whether municipal agencies issued further instructions to mandals. The immediate operational concerns reported were waterlogging at Majiwada-Kapurbawdi, traffic congestion on major routes and the safety and completion of festival-related work before Ganeshotsav began on Monday.
