CM Shinde reviews city’s preparedness for monsoon mayhem

“An orange alert is in effect for coastal areas. The Army, Navy, and Air Force have been put on standby,” said the Chief Minister.
Explaining Mumbai’s susceptibility to heavy rainfall, Shinde noted that even 65mm of rainfall can cause significant issues. He mentioned specific areas like Chuna Bhatti and Sion experiencing waterlogging due to the downpour.

“To address this, BMC and railways have deployed water pumps for immediate drainage,” said Shinde. “Efforts to enhance Mumbai’s drainage capacity are underway. Innovative measures like micro-tunneling were introduced for the first time in India to clear accumulated water.”

Highlighting the monitoring efforts, the CM said, “BMC monitors 5,000 locations across Mumbai through its control room. BMC officials are actively managing field operations. Additionally, a floodgate installation at the Mithi river aims to prevent seawater ingress during high tides.”

Regarding long-term solutions, Shinde said, “Plans for rainwater evacuation and installation of pumping stations at seven locations across the city are in progress. The entire state machinery stands ready to provide relief and assistance to residents.”

Earlier in the day, the CM issued a statement asking Mumbaikars to refrain from moving out unless it was an emergency. “Residents should avoid unnecessary travel,” Shinde had said on Monday morning after heavy rains lashed the city.