MUMBAI: A steady spell of hard, driving rain that shook people from their slumber after midnight Thursday went on to inundate the city on Friday. For the first time, an undeveloped open space like Aarey Colony flooded over, causing concern among residents and environmentalists. Mithi river swelled its banks in Kurla, prompting the BMC to evacuate 250 residents to safety.
The downpour in the early morning hours overwhelmed Mumbai’s suburbs in particular. IMD’s Santacruz observatory recorded 253mm of rainfall between July 15-16, the second highest 24-hour shower in a decade.
Aarey Colony resident Tabrez Sayed said the road near Unit no. 22, close to Powai check naka, was flooded till 11am. “This is the first time ever that this area has flooded,” he said. Aarey Conservation Group activists blamed the construction of retaining walls along Oshiwara river, that flows through the colony, for the flooding in the open areas. “Aarey Colony never flood-ed till two years ago. The walls along Mithi river and Oshiwara river must be demolished so that there is exchange of water between the forest and river,” said activist D Stalin.
Activist Zoru Bathena said the waterlogging had occurred on a day when the tide did not even cross the 4.5-metre level. “In fact, at 9am, there was a low tide of 1.3m. Flooding no longer has any relation with the tide. It is connected with the destruction of existing flood control systems,” he said. Activist Amrita Bhattacharjee said massive amounts of debris have been dumped along the Mithi on JVLR, contributing to the inundation.
The BMC’s claims of having carried out “104% desilting” evoked criticism. “They spent crores of rupees on making Gandhi Market area flood-free, but there is no visible impact,” said Congress corporator Ravi Raja, Opposition leader in the BMC.
Waterlogging was reported citywide, especially Sion, Kurla, Hindmata, King’s Circle, Dadar TT, Matunga, Andheri Subway and market, Linking Road in Bandra, Siddharth Nagar in Goregaon and Kranti Nagar in Kurla.
Assistant municipal commissioner of BMC’s L ward Manish Walunju said they started evacuating 250 residents of Kranti Nagar to nearby Bail Bazar municipal school after the water reached knee level. “Early in the morning, Mithi river swelled above 3m, which is the danger mark. We informed police to start making announcements and the evacuation began,” he said.
Rail and road transport came to a crawl. Traffic moved in fits and starts along Western and Eastern Express Highways and JVLR. Due to waterlogging at Kurla and Sion stations, railway services on the fast line between Matunga-Mulund were suspended for an hour. On the Harbour line, trains briefly halted between Wadala and Mankhurd.
BEST buses were diverted on 87 routes, but restored by 5.30pm. Over 60 buses were either stranded or broke down. Power outage was reported from Chembur, Ghatkopar, Kurla and Santacruz. Flight operations at Mumbai airport were not affected, though.
