Maharashtra govt orders early office closure, work-from-home 'Red alert'

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.

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.