Mumbaikars woke up to heavy downpours on July 8, disrupting normal life due to severe waterlogging on important routes and low-lying areas leading to traffic jams across the city. Many railways’ tracks are submerged, and train services are disrupted.
Also read: Mumbai rains LIVE updates
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) released an official statement that said, “Mumbai has recorded over 300 mm rainfall at various places in a six-hour period from 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. today. Heavy rains in some low-lying areas led to waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Heavy rain is also expected today.”
A view of a flooded road after rain lashed Mumbai on July 8, 2024. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini
Andheri, Kurla, Bhandup, King’s Circle, Vile Parle and Dadar are facing significant water accumulation. Vehicles on the streets are seen stagnant and drifting in the rainwater whereas pedestrians are wading through knee-deep waters on the streets.
Schools closed
Considering the heavy rains, the BMC has also announced a half-day holiday for government and private schools and colleges under the civic body’s jurisdiction. The decision on the afternoon session of classes will be announced later.
“In order to avoid inconvenience to students, a holiday for the first session is declared for all BMC, government and private schools and colleges in the Mumbai BMC jurisdiction. The decision for the next session will be announced after reviewing the situation,” The BMC statement said.
Trains disrupted
Officials said that the heavy downpour has also impacted train services. The Central Railway cancelled MMR-CSMT (12110), Pune-CSMT (11010), Pune-CSMT Deccan (12124), Pune-CSMT Deccan (11007) and CSMT-Pune Intercity Express (12127) trains were cancelled today.
The rains have also disrupted the local train services that were briefly stopped in the morning and resumed after water receded from the railway tracks. Rains have also impacted the BEST bus services in the city and the buses were diverted from their regular routes.
At 8 a.m., an official from the railways said, “The Central Railway suburban services were affected due to heavy rains. The train services are affected at Sion and between Bhandup and Nahur stations. Rain water was above the tracks, so trains were stopped for nearly one hour. Now water has receded a bit, so trains are restarting, but services are still affected.”
The officials also said that due to heavy rains and waterlogging between Bhandup and Nahur, trains are being run by clamping and padlocking the points. Clamping is completed at 6.45 a.m. The train services on the main line down and up fast line between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus-Thane is suspended. However, down and up slow lines are running. Harbour line services are temporarily suspended due to waterlogging at the Chunnabhati area.”
IMD predicts heavy rainfall and high tide
IMD authorities also warned that the city will see a high tide of 4.40 meters at around 2 pm today including their prediction of heavy rainfall throughout the day. “The city is expected to continue receiving heavy rain in the coming hours. As per the latest IMD forecast on Monday morning, Mumbai is expected to see a generally cloudy sky with moderate to heavy rain in the city and its suburbs. In the wake of continuous rains, the entire machinery of the BMC is working on the field. Mumbaikars are requested not to believe in any rumours. Also, to step out of the house only if it is necessary. In case of an emergency, call 1916 for immediate assistance,” the BMC said.
Water stock in reservoirs increase
The BMC said the water stock in reservoirs supplying water to the metropolis has increased to 18.73%, which was 21.57% on July 8, 2023 and 25.94% on July 8, 2022. Till 6 am on July 8, 2024, the collective water stock in the seven reservoirs is at 2,71,147 million litres.
The seven reservoirs that supply water to Mumbai are located in Mumbai, Thane and Nashik districts and they are: Bhatsa, Upper Vaitarna, Middle Vaitarna, Tansa, Modak Sagar, Vehar and Tulsi.
The Mumbai city requires around 4,000-4,500 million litres of water every day and to supply water to the entire metropolitan city, a total water stock of 14,47,363 million litres is required, a BMC official said.
BMC’s lake levels report by the Hydraulic Engineer’s Department said that the percentage of useful content of live storage of water as of 6 am on July 8, the water level in Tansa is at 40.69%; Modak Sagar is at 35.85%; Middle Vaitarna is at 19.51% while Tulsi Lake is at 45.51% of its full capacity.
BMC statement data also reveals the gross useful contents of Bhatsa, 5,75,700 million litres are allocated for MCGM usage. In addition to this, the Maharashtra government has sanctioned 1,37,000 million litres of water for Mumbai from Bhatsa and 91,130 million litres of water from the Upper Vaitarna dam for this season.
