Maharashtra govt dismisses US advisory on rain

Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has dismissed a US travel advisory for tourists to Mumbai.

The advisory by the US consulate warns Americans about the rains in the city. It comes with a reminder of the 2005 floods that resulted in loss of lives.

Advising its citizens to take "commonsense precautions", it warns them about open manholes.

It says Mumbai municipal corporation workers keep them open to ease flooding but there are no warning markers.

While the BMC has played down the advisory, Deshmukh has asked tourists to come and enjoy the rains instead.

“Americans need not worry. To protect the citizens is the duty of the state government,” he said.