Mumbai, July 3: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar and Raigad districts in Maharashtra, warning of moderate to intense spells of rainfall at isolated places over the next three hours. The weather office has advised residents to take necessary precautions as heavy rain continues to lash the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

According to the IMD’s nowcast warning, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely over Mumbai city and its suburbs during the day. Occasional gusty winds reaching speeds of 50-60 kmph are also expected.

Mumbai witnessed intense rainfall during the 24 hours between 8 a.m. on July 2 and 6 a.m. on July 3. According to data released by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Mandvi Fire Station recorded the city’s highest rainfall at 150.2 mm. The continuous downpour has disrupted normal life across the financial capital, leading to widespread waterlogging and traffic congestion.

In the island city, Malabar Hill received 145.8 mm of rainfall, followed by the B Ward Office with 140.8 mm, Menonwada Fire Station with 140.2 mm, and the Municipal Head Office with 139.2 mm.

Among the western suburbs, Malpa Dongari Municipal School in Andheri recorded the highest rainfall at 136.6 mm. It was followed by the K East Ward Office with 134.6 mm, Versova Wastewater Treatment Facility and Lagoons with 129.4 mm, Versova Pumping Station with 128.8 mm, and Andheri Fire Station with 128.6 mm.

In the eastern suburbs, Paspoli Powai Municipal School recorded the highest rainfall at 124 mm, followed by Mankhurd Fire Station with 117.8 mm, the S Ward Office with 116.2 mm, and Gawanpada Fire Station with 115.6 mm.

The heavy rainfall has left several parts of Mumbai inundated, with major traffic corridors affected by severe waterlogging. Areas including Dadar East and Sion Gandhi Market witnessed significant flooding, causing hardship for commuters and disrupting normal daily activities.

A tree collapsed in Mumbai’s Santacruz area on Thursday afternoon, leaving eight people injured amid the heavy rains. Earlier in the day, the BMC received 91 complaints related to tree and branch falls, nine complaints of short circuits, and four complaints of partial house or wall collapses. No casualties were reported in the short-circuit or house collapse incidents.

The BMC said that average rainfall recorded between 8 a.m. on July 2 and 8 a.m. on July 3 stood at 126 mm in the island city, 110 mm in the eastern suburbs, and 114 mm in the western suburbs.

The IMD has also warned of high tide at 2:18 p.m. on Friday, with a tidal height of 4.28 metres, and has urged citizens to remain cautious in low-lying and flood-prone areas.

Pune, July 3: The prime accused in the Ketan Agarwal murder case, Siya Goyal, was caught on camera showing the middle finger at media personnel while being escorted by the police during the investigation into the sensational Pune fort murder case.

The video shared by media showed Siya being taken out of her residence in Pune’s Market Yard area by the police as part of the ongoing probe on Thursday. Dressed in a black T-shirt with a printed scarf covering her face, she briefly looked at the reporters gathered outside before raising her middle finger at the cameras.

The video quickly went viral, drawing sharp reactions from users online. Many criticised her conduct, with several describing the gesture as insensitive and inappropriate in view of the serious charges she faces.

According to the police, Siya Goyal and her alleged lover, Chetan Chaudhary, conspired to murder businessman Ketan Agarwal by pushing him into a gorge at Lohagad Fort near Pune on June 18. Initially, Siya reportedly told investigators that Ketan had accidentally slipped and fallen, leading the police to register an accidental death case.

However, investigators later became suspicious after allegedly noticing inconsistencies in her statements and behaviour during questioning. The probe subsequently uncovered evidence that led to the arrest of both Siya and Chetan on charges of murder and criminal conspiracy.

Police said Siya and Ketan’s families had fixed their marriage, with the wedding scheduled for November this year. Investigators allege that Chetan was unhappy with Siya’s engagement and considered Ketan an obstacle to their relationship, prompting the two to allegedly plan the murder.

According to the investigation, Siya had allegedly made an earlier attempt to kill Ketan on June 14 by pushing him from the fort. He survived after grabbing onto bushes along the cliffside. Police claimed that Siya then pretended to have spotted a snake to divert attention and reassure Ketan.

Investigators further alleged that she later persuaded Ketan to revisit the fort, where Chetan also arrived. The two are accused of pushing Ketan into the gorge from behind, resulting in his death.

Both accused are scheduled to be produced before the Vadgaon court, where the Pune Rural Police will seek an extension of their custody, while the defence is expected to seek judicial custody.

Mumbai, July 2: In a milestone move for India’s agricultural landscape, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Thursday witnessed the discussion on the landmark ‘Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill-2026’. Welcoming and supporting the Bill, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar hailed it as a historic step towards providing justice, identity and rights to women farmers who form the backbone of the state’s agrarian economy.

Speaking during the Assembly debate, Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar emphasised that Maharashtra has become the first state in India to introduce such legislation.

“This Bill is not just a piece of law; it is historic justice for the hard work, dignity and rights of every woman farmer who breathes life into our soil and firmly supports Maharashtra’s economy. It is set to transform the lives of millions of women across the state,” she stated.

Drawing from her personal background as a daughter of a farming family, the Deputy Chief Minister shared her close experience of the hardships of farming, the unpredictability of nature and rural life.

She pointed out that despite working shoulder-to-shoulder with men in tasks ranging from sowing, animal husbandry, dairy, poultry and fisheries to post-harvest processing, women have historically never been recognised as official ‘farmers’. Due to the lack of land ownership, women have long been excluded from various government benefits.

Addressing this gap, the Deputy CM explained a key feature of the new law. She said the ‘Maharashtra Women Farmers Empowerment Bill-2026’ establishes a woman’s actual participation in farming, rather than land ownership, as the primary criterion for granting her an official ‘Woman Farmer Certificate’.

The Deputy Chief Minister clarified that this certificate will finally grant millions of women an official identity, paving the way for easier access to government agricultural schemes and training, crop insurance, institutional credit, market access, skill development and entrepreneurship opportunities.

To ensure that the Bill does not remain a mere declaration but translates into meaningful action, a robust institutional framework will be established. This includes a dedicated Women Farmers Database, a Women Farmers Empowerment Cell, specialised assistance officers, a state-level monitoring committee and a dedicated Women Farmers Fund.

Addressing potential concerns, DCM Sunetra Pawar categorically reassured the House that the Bill does not alter, amend or interfere with any existing land ownership, inheritance or succession laws. Its sole purpose is to provide legal and institutional recognition to women’s immense contribution to agriculture.

Highlighting the Mahayuti government’s commitment to women’s welfare, the Deputy CM listed ongoing initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Lek Ladki Yojana, Pink Rickshaw Scheme and the Nav Tejaswini Rural Women’s Enterprise Development Scheme, alongside safety nets such as One Stop Centres and the Manodhairya Yojana.

“Maharashtra has historically led India in women’s education, cooperatives, political reservation and self-help groups. By legally recognising women farmers, Maharashtra is once again setting a pioneering example for the entire country,” she concluded, congratulating the Chief Minister, Agriculture Minister and the Agriculture Department for crafting this historic legislation.