Highest tide of the season today; BMC 'on alert'

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) expects to get more than its toes wet this Sunday, with the season’s highest high tide -- 4.97metres high -- forecast for this day. IMD has predicted heavy rainfall starting from Sunday.

While civic authorities have not announced any special plans for the next two days, an official said, “There cannot be much preparation for it. During high tides days on weekends, all agencies are on alert as the footfall near beaches and tourist places increases.”

The sea has expelled more than 20 tonnes of garbage at Marine Drive at high tide in the past three days. It took around 55 labourers more than three hours to clean up the mess each day. What the season's highest tide will throw up remains to be seen. “There are chances that more garbage will be thrown on to the shore by the sea due to the high tide,” according to the official.

The BMC has released a list of high and neap tide days - these are days when the discharge of stormwater into the sea is very slow. Neap tide is when the difference between low and high tides is the least.

Neap tide days during this monsoon are August 19 and 20, and September 17, 18 and 19. BMC has also listed 24 high tide days, of which the highest high tide is expected to be 4.97 metres, on July 15. High tide is when the sea level rises above 4.5 metres. On high tide days, floodgates are closed to stop rising seawater from entering the city. If this is coupled with heavy rainfall, chances of flooding become significantly higher - particularly in low-lying areas - since there are no outlets for the rainwater.