Mumbai city is now flood proof: BMC chief to CM

There is no doubt left when it comes to monsoon, Mumbai city is to be flooded. But this year BMC claims that it has taken efforts to prevent flash flood due to heavy rain. On Tuesday, 29th May 2018, municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta assured chief minister Devendra Fadnavis along with a presentation that this time the city is safe from floods. Monsoon is expected to reach Mumbai by June 6-8.

Humans cannot stop the rains from falling or stop flowing surface water from bursting its banks. These are natural events, but we can do something to prevent them from having great impact.Here are some measures BMC has taken to avoid it.

BMC has focused on sites that had flooded during August 29, 2017, and worked on micro-mitigation measures, like replacing narrow pipe drains with on railway tracks with box drains. At 7 locations, BMC is installing trash brooms to ensure plastic doesn’t block the grills of pumping stations. It has resurfaced 600km of read. Also, it will manufacture additive at its worli plant to fill and fix potholes even when it drains.

They have identified 688 buildings as dilapidated and dangerous. While it has evacuated and razed some buildings, it cut powers and water supply to others. In some cases, residents have obtained a stay order from court against eviction.

At seven lakes that provides water to the city, BMC will install radar based instrument to measure water levels, it will send readings online to the control room. It has covered 1,400 manholes in areas prone to flooding to control accidents.

Mehta said the rain-carrying capacity of the city’s drains is 50mm per hour, but this is not sufficient. “Local issues need to be sorted out. And, we also pray.”

At the meeting, the state cabinet approved the disaster management plan and rules for its implementation across the state. A cabinet sub-committee has also been set up to ensure quick disbursement of relief, in case of a natural disaster. The navy will post divers at Colaba, Worli and Malad, while the National Disaster Response Force will be stationed at Andheri Sport Club.

Picture credits: The Quint