Get ready for 18 days of high tide in Mumbai this monsoon

While the BMC has started unclogging drains and completing road works, its monsoon preparedness will be put to test. According to data, the city will witness a high tide on 18 days this monsoon — when sea levels are expected to rise beyond 4.5m in the city. The highest, 4.97m, is expected on June 25 (Sunday), around 1.07pm, according to data. Tide levels above 4.5m are dangerous because they could lead to flooding if coupled with showers in low-lying areas.

Last monsoon, the city witnessed rising sea levels on 24 days, mostly the beginning and end of the four months.

In June, the city will witness rising sea levels from June 23 to 28, followed by July 22-27, August 21-24 and September 19-20, data revealed. The India

Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts the country will receive normal rainfall this year. The official date for arrival of monsoon in the city is June 10.

Officials from the disaster management unit of the BMC said they are taking special precautions on high tide days by deploying flood rescue teams,

fire brigade personnel, officials from the National Disaster Response Force, lifeguards and police at the six beaches — Juhu Versova, Girgaum, Aksa, Gora and Dadar. A senior BMC offi cial from the disaster manage ment unit said, “On weekends we deploy more lifeguards as the beaches get a lot of visitors.”