Mumbai: Mumbai and its suburbs continue to be battered by torrential rains for the third consecutive day. Over the last 48 hours, the city division recorded 300 mm of rainfall, while the eastern and western suburbs registered 380 mm and 345 mm, respectively.
In response to this record-breaking rainfall and gusty winds blowing at speeds of 70 to 80 km/h, the entire machinery of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been deployed on a war footing.
Prioritising citizen safety above all, the BMC’s Disaster Management Department is monitoring the situation round the clock. Meanwhile, a Special General Body Meeting has been convened for July 9, during which intense debates over rain-related updates and incidents are anticipated.
Special teams have been stationed at various vulnerable locations to provide immediate responses to emergencies, including tree collapses, short circuits, and partial or complete cave-ins of dilapidated buildings.
To ensure rapid drainage of waterlogged areas, high-capacity dewatering pumps, suction machinery, and additional manpower have been continuously operationalised.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued a ‘Red Alert’ for the Brihanmumbai region for three consecutive days, Saturday (July 4), Sunday (July 5), and Monday (July 6). Anticipating the heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds, the BMC had placed its entire emergency response system on high alert.
BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide personally monitored the developing situation from the Disaster Management Control Room at the civic headquarters throughout the three days. She reviewed the operations of all administrative wards, issued real-time directives to mitigate potential hazards, and emphasised seamless coordination between various civic and state agencies.
Given the IMD’s Red Alert and predicted gale-force winds for Monday, July 6, all government, private, and municipal schools and colleges in Mumbai were declared closed as a precautionary measure to ensure student safety. The IMD has downgraded the warning to an ‘Orange Alert’ for Tuesday, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by gusty winds.
The civic administration has issued a strict advisory to citizens, urging them to follow these safety guidelines: venture outdoors only for essential work and avoid unnecessary travel; stay away from trees, dilapidated structures, hoardings, electric poles, and other hazardous spots; refrain from parking vehicles under trees; do not visit beaches, promenades, or waterlogged areas; and trust only official government channels for updates and weather warnings. In addition, BMC has said that in case of any distress or emergency, citizens are requested to immediately contact its helpline at 1916.
The BMC has scheduled a Special General Body Meeting for July 9, to be attended by all corporators. The meeting is expected to witness heated discussions regarding the rain-related mishaps that hit the city over the past few days.
With multiple incidents of heavy flooding, tree falls, and structural collapses resulting in tragic casualties among Mumbaikars, opposition parties are gearing up to corner the ruling administration over civic preparedness and infrastructure failure.
The administration will be pressed to provide formal explanations regarding its response mechanisms, setting the stage for sharp verbal exchanges and a stormy council session.
(IANS)
