Mumbai: Mumbai woke up to cloudy skies and scattered showers on Wednesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted intense showers across the city and the adjoining Konkan belt. The IMD issued a yellow alert for Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Palghar today, while placing Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg districts under an orange alert, indicating the likelihood of very heavy rainfall.

The city woke up to overcast skies with intermittent drizzles and occasional heavy spells expected to continue through the day. According to the forecast, temperatures in Mumbai will hover between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius, accompanied by winds blowing at 15–20 kmph. The yellow alert for Mumbai suggests light to moderate rainfall across several pockets, with sudden intense downpours that could disrupt routine life.

In Thane and Navi Mumbai, where similar alerts have been sounded, the weather department has forecast light rain through the morning, building into heavy showers in certain localities by afternoon and evening. The maximum temperature in these areas is expected to remain around 29 degrees, with humidity levels touching 85 percent.

Palghar district too remains under a yellow alert, with scattered showers in the morning and heavier rain predicted later in the day. Temperatures here will range between 24 and 29 degrees Celsius.

The situation is expected to be more severe along the Konkan coast, where Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg have been placed under orange alert. The IMD has warned of sustained heavy to very heavy rainfall throughout the day. The possibility of flooding in low-lying and hilly areas, along with incidents of landslides, has led local administrations to remain on high alert. Temperatures across these districts are forecast to stay between 24 and 28 degrees Celsius, while wind speeds could rise to 20–25 kmph.

Maharashtra: A 49-year-old driver lost his life on Saturday evening in Panchavati, Nashik, after a gas cylinder exploded at a welding shop. The tragic incident occurred near Tapovan Corner, along the compound wall of the old bus depot, according to the Panchavati police.

The deceased has been identified as Ramnath Somvanshi, a resident of Swami Samarth Nagar on Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Road. Police said Somvanshi had visited the gas welding shop for work related to his vehicle’s registration number plate.

At the time of the incident, the shop owner was using a gas cutter to remove a tyre nut from a car. Shortly after switching off the cutter, the welding gas cylinder exploded, causing severe injuries to Somvanshi. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries.

Following a preliminary investigation, the Panchavati police registered a case under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for causing death by negligence against the welding shop owner on Sunday night.

Officials stated that the shop owner failed to ensure adequate safety measures, despite working with hazardous and explosive materials. Although no arrest has been made so far, the accused has been issued a notice to remain present for further inquiry.

Police are continuing their investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion and assess whether the safety protocols at the site complied with regulations.

Mumbai: The ongoing Maratha reservation agitation led by activist Manoj Jarange Patil at Azad Maidan took a crucial turn today after a delegation of state ministers assured the protestors that the government will issue a Government Resolution (GR) to implement the Hyderabad Gazette. This step would grant Kunbi status to Marathas from the Marathwada region, paving the way for their inclusion in the OBC quota.

According to officials, the GR is expected to be issued within an hour. The development came soon after the Bombay High Court accepted the agitators’ request for a temporary pause in the protest to allow discussions with the government-appointed sub-committee.

Meanwhile, Maratha leaders at the venue appealed to demonstrators, urging that apart from around 5,000 people stationed at Azad Maidan, the rest should proceed towards Navi Mumbai in compliance with the High Court’s directions.

Earlier in the day, Patil had declared that he would not vacate Azad Maidan “even at the cost of his life,” after police served a notice citing violation of the court’s interim order that had outlined conditions for the protest. In response, police teams began clearing agitators gathered at CSMT railway station, while heavy deployment of security personnel was also seen around BMC headquarters and Kila Court, where officers requested people to leave roads and footpaths to maintain order.

The situation remains tense as protestors await the government’s official resolution, while the administration continues to balance law and order with the demands of the Maratha community.