Highest high tide of the season tomorrow

MUMBAI:THIS weekend promises to keep Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on its toes with the season’s highest high tide forecast for July 15.

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

The neap tide days during this year’s monsoon are June 7, July 7, August 19 and 20, and September 17, 18 and 19.

The 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.

While there are no special plans for the next two days, a civic official said, “During high tides days on weekends, all agencies are on alert as the footfall near beaches and tourist places increases.”

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.

Marine Drive saw nine metric tons of garbage thrown out of the sea during high tide on Thursday and Friday.

The data compiled by BMC showed that the garbage comprised plastic polyethylene bags and thermocol, which were collected by 30 workers.