Maharashtra orders early office closure, work-from-home amid red alert

The Maharashtra government ordered early closure of government offices and urged private firms to adopt work-from-home after the IMD issued a red alert for Mumbai. Authorities also released construction safety guidelines and advised residents to avoid unnecessary travel amid severe weather

Mumbai: In the wake of a severe weather warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Maharashtra government on Monday ordered early closure of government offices and urged private businesses to implement work-from-home measures.

A circular released by the General Administration Department reveals that the IMD has issued a Red Alert for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), which is bracing for an intense downpour coupled with gale-force winds reaching speeds of 80-90 km per hour.

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Invoking his authority as the Chairman of the State Disaster Management Authority, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reviewed the critical situation of stormy winds and heavy rains before approving immediate preventive steps. “All officials and employees working in Mantralaya and other state government offices across Brihanmumbai have been permitted to leave their workplaces after a half-day session to ensure they return home safely. The heads of respective departments handling emergency and essential services will retain the authority to manage staff deployment as per requirements,” the circular read.

The government has appealed to all private entities operating in the region to transition their employees to a remote work configuration (work-from-home) for the day.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has issued strict safety guidelines for construction sites. Highlighting the imminent threat posed by wind speeds touching 70 to 80 km/h, the civic body warned that structural vulnerabilities at construction sites could lead to severe accidents and instructed all builders, architects, licensed surveyors, contractors, and project managers to strictly implement its guidelines. They have been asked to conduct rigorous inspections of temporary scaffolding, loose building materials, crane equipment, and formwork. Any unsecured items on terraces or upper floors must be removed or safely tied down immediately.

All tower cranes, construction lifts, and material hoists must undergo stability checks. Lifting operations and high-altitude work must be completely suspended if weather conditions pose a threat. Construction sites must set up restricted “Exclusion Zones” to safeguard workers and passersby from falling debris.

Further, BMC said that contractors must strictly enforce the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and fall protection gear for any on-site labourers.

“The safety of labourers, local residents, and general citizens is our highest priority. All developers must take these instructions with utmost seriousness and adhere strictly to standard safe construction practices until weather conditions normalise,” it said.

Residents across Mumbai and neighbouring districts have been advised to stay indoors, avoid non-essential travel, and keep away from flood-prone areas or open construction zones as the city braces for prolonged heavy downpours, the BMC added.