Wednesday, July 27 2005 16:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Maharashtra Government has declared a public holiday today (July 27, 2005) as incessant rains continued to lash several parts of the State, bringing life in many areas, including Mumbai, to a standstill.

"We have declared a public holiday today," Deshmukh said here adding, schools in Mumbai and Thane have also been asked to close down today and tomorrow (July 28, 2005) in view of the heavy rains.

The Chief Minister, who cancelled his scheduled aerial survey of the affected areas in Raigad and Ratnagiri districts due to inclement weather, has also urged people to stay in their homes and not to venture out as heavy rains are predicted in the next 48 hours.

"People should also desist from bringing out their vehicles on the roads as already a lot of vehicles are stuck in several parts of the city", he said.