Mumbai gets 289mm rain in 36 hours Waterlogging woes return; civic body blames high tide
HEAVY SHOWERS IN SUBURBS IMD issues yellow alert for Konkan coast, including city
MUMBAI:THE city witnessed heavy to very heavy rain on Saturday, with more intense showers in the suburbs than in south Mumbai. Thane (213.3 mm from 8.30 am to 8.30 pm on Saturday) and Mumbai suburbs (132.2 mm from 8.30am to 8.30pm) recorded maximum rain across the state over a 12-hour period, said Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
For today, the weather bureau has issued a yellow alert (moderate showers with the possibility of heavy rain) for all areas along the Konkan coast, including Mumbai, except Palghar where heavy to very heavy rain is expected (orange alert).
The Santacruz weather station, representative of the suburbs and Mumbai, recorded 289.2 mm rain over a span of 36 hours (Friday 8.30 am to 8.30 pm Saturday). The 24-hour rain (8.30am Friday to 8.30 am Saturday) was 157 mm while 12-hour rain on Saturday (8.30 am to 8.30pm) was 132.2 mm.
The Colaba weather station, representative of south Mumbai, recorded 243.6 mm rain over 36 hours (Friday 8.30 am to 8.30 pm Saturday), 169 mm rain over 24-hours (8.30am Friday to 8.30 am Saturday), and 74.6 mm over 12-hours on Saturday (8.30 am to 8.30pm).
Mumbai has so far recorded 316.5 mm rain (from July 1 to July 4, 8.30 pm), which is 38% of the month’s average rainfall (840.7mm). The city had recorded 395 mm rain in June, which was the lowest monthly rain in five years.
However, with continuous downpour over the 36 hours, the city has so far received almost 31% of its seasonal average rain (711.5 mm of 2,317 mm).
“Monsoon currents remained active over the Konkan coast, including Mumbai, for the second consecutive day leading to widespread rainfall,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, IMD.
On Saturday, rain led to 3.3 degree Celsius drop in maximum temperatures with 27.3 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius in the suburbs and south Mumbai respectively.
RAINFALL ON SATURDAY Kandivli and Borivli record highest rain in Mumbai on Saturday. Most areas in the suburbs recorded over 100 mm rain with Kandivli at 184.3mm, Borivli at 174.1mm, Vikhorli 133.5mm, Mulund 126.4mm, Chembur 123.7mm Malad 118.2mm, Andheri 115mm, Bandra 110.2 mm, Kurla 100.3mm (between 8.30 am ad 8.30 pm).
TREE FALLS ON SGNP VETERINARY CENTRE Incessant rain in Borivli on Saturday led to a tree falling on the veterinary centre at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). “Six people were inside when the 80-year-old tree uprooted and collapsed on the roof. No one was injured,” said Vijay Barabde, range forest officer, SGNP.
MUMBAI: Waterlogging was reported in several low-lying areas on Saturday, including Hindmata, Dadar, King’s Circle, Matunga, Milan subway, Dahisar subway, Gorai, Kandivli and Andheri subway.
On Saturday, a high tide of 4.63 metres was recorded at around 12.23pm, which coincided with heavy rain in the western and eastern suburbs. However, waterlogging was reported only after 4pm.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), waterlogging was reported from 10 major spots, including Hindmata, Dadar terminus, Dharavi junction, Matunga, Wadala, Byculla, Chembur, Andheri subway and near National College in Bandra (West). This was the fourth time waterlogging was reported in the city in the past month.
Following reports of waterlogging on Friday, BMC had said the flooding was not caused by blockage in drains, but because high tide and heavy rain had coincided. Activist Abhijit Joshi, a
Matunga resident, said, “On Saturday the high tide was at around noon, but waterlogging started between 4pm and 5pm. If the cleaning of gutters was done why was there waterlogging on Saturday?”
Sanjay Darade, deputy municipal commissioner of stormwater drainage, BMC, said, “There was a high tide in the afternoon followed by heavy rainfall, and hence the water took time to drain. But our staff was on the spot wherever waterlogging was reported.”
Mumbai traffic police said waterlogging was reported across the city, including near JJ flyover, Pydhonie, at multiple locations in Kurla, LBS Road, Mahalaxmi temple, Nagpada, and Dockyard station. Traffic had to be diverted near Khar Masjid on SV Road, King’s Circle, Andheri subway and in Mazagaon.
On Saturday, four house and wall collapses were reported in the city along with 32 trees falling. Nine incidents of tree fall were in south Mumbai; three in eastern suburbs; and 20 in western suburbs. Ten complaints of short circuit were also reported. No injuries were reported.