Mumbai: Mumbai experienced scattered rainfall in parts of the city on Thursday, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintaining a yellow alert. While the likelihood of very heavy showers on August 28 has been ruled out, the city may continue to receive intermittent spells. The day’s temperature is expected to hover between 26°C and 28°C.

Authorities have cautioned that if showers intensify unexpectedly, waterlogging could occur in low-lying areas such as Dadar, Kurla and Andheri, which are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall. The IMD has further indicated that Mumbai is likely to witness normal to above-normal rainfall during the August-September period, keeping the city on alert for sudden changes in weather conditions.

In the wider Konkan region, including Thane, Palghar, Raigad and Ratnagiri, the weather department has forecast moderate to heavy rain. Certain pockets may also experience extremely heavy downpours accompanied by strong winds blowing at speeds of 30-40 km/h. These conditions could pose challenges for both residents and commuters in the region, especially in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

Looking at the city’s forecast for the coming days, the IMD has predicted a largely wet spell accompanied by cloudy skies. On August 29, Mumbai is expected to see moderate to heavy showers, with temperatures ranging between 27°C and 24°C. The following day, August 30, is likely to bring moderate rainfall, with the mercury fluctuating between 27°C and 25°C.

The rain activity is expected to continue into August 31, when showers are predicted with daytime temperatures reaching around 28°C and nighttime temperatures dropping to 25°C. On September 1, the city is set to receive more rainfall, with temperatures forecast between 28°C and 26°C.

Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Wednesday visited the residence of his cousin and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The visit took place at Raj Thackeray’s residence, ‘Shivtirth,’ in Mumbai, where Lord Ganesha was welcomed with devotion and grandeur.

Uddhav Thackeray was accompanied by his wife Rashmi Thackeray and sons Aaditya and Tejas. The Thackeray family participated in the Ganesh puja and offered prayers together, marking the auspicious occasion with traditional rituals.

A video surfaced online, showing Uddhav Thackeray offering prayers and seeking blessings from Lord Ganpati. As Maharashtra celebrates Ganeshotsav with great enthusiasm, the meeting between the Thackeray families stood out as a moment of togetherness and shared devotion.

The Ganeshotsav is being celebrated across Maharashtra with great devotion and festive spirit. The 10-day festival, dedicated to Lord Ganpati, marks his arrival into homes and public mandals with rituals, music, and vibrant decorations. From iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja to the local community, devotees are gathering in large numbers to offer prayers and seek blessings for prosperity, peace, and new beginnings.

In other news, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and his family welcomed Ganpati Bappa at their Mumbai residence on Wednesday, marking the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities with devotion and tradition. On the occasion, CM Fadnavis, along with his wife Amruta Fadnavis, performed the aarti at their official residence, Varsha.

The Chief Minister and his family carried out the aarti and pooja as part of the ceremonial welcome for Lord Ganesha. A video that surfaced online captures the Fadnavis family performing rituals, offering prayers, and joyfully celebrating Ganpati Bappa’s arrival at their home.

Mumbai: Based on specific intelligence that a syndicate was fraudulently availing drawback and RoSCTL benefit by exporting misdeclared and highly overvalued garments to various African countries by using several dummy IECs from ICD Talegaon (Pune), officers of DRI intercepted two such live consignments.

DRI uncovers bogus IEC export scam

Examination of the said consignment revealed that misdeclared and inferior quality goods were being exported at grossly inflated values. Simultaneous searches were conducted at eight premises in Mumbai. Preliminary investigations revealed that 14 IECs, identified so far, were issued in the names of fictitious individuals and were non-existent/bogus.

All export documentation and invoices were prepared by a Mumbai-based mastermind. Crucial digital evidence, including fake invoices, were recovered during searches. In his voluntary statement, the mastermind admitted that the syndicate procured low-quality goods from local markets in Mumbai, Kolkata, and other cities without invoices or e-way bills, and exported them by overvaluing to the extent of five to six times their actual value. Using this modus operandi, they fraudulently availed drawback benefits of approximately Rs 18.74 crore and RoSCTL benefits of approximately Rs 96 crore.

The mastermind, who has orchestrated the whole scheme, was arrested along with the customs broker, who was a complicit in the fraud and received commission for processing such exports. Further investigation is under progress.