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This article was first published 15 years ago

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Last updated on: July 14, 2009 

Image: An autorickshaw moves through a flooded road
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters
Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds crippled normal life in India's financial capital Mumbai on Tuesday.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: Vehicles move slowly on the western express highway amidst heavy rainfall
Photographs: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters

Flood warning has been issued across the city after the Mithi river crossed the danger mark of  2.95 m. The river is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes.

It originates at Powai and meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek. It flows through residential and industrial complexes of Powai, Saki Naka, Kurla and Mahim covering about 15 km.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: A taxi driver pushes his vehicle to safety
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Media reports said that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has begun evacuating families at Kranti Nagar. About 400 families are being shifted to a nearby municipal school.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: A mini truck moves through a flooded road
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Normal life has been thrown out of gear in the city owing to heavy overnight rains that led to severe water logging in many parts and badly disrupted road, rail and air traffic.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: One of the many low-lying areas that witnessed traffic jams following the heavy downpur
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Railway tracks were flooded between suburban Bandra and Vile Parle on the Western line and between Vidya Vihar and Sion on the Central line. Khar, Milan and Andheri subways were also waterlogged.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: People make their way through a flooded street
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Visibility at Mumbai International Airport was described as poor on Tuesday morning. Water logging was also reported at the Wadala truck terminus, Maratha Mandir, Govandi and Deonar colonies.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: A man takes his kids home from school
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Several areas of Mumbai, including Mulund (242.81 mm), Bandra (207.8 mm), and Memonwada (203.1 mm),Byculla (197. 3 mm), and Chembur (192.7 mm), were among the areas that received heavy rainfall.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: People make their way through a waterlogged street
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Media reports quoted civic officials as saying that a high tide of 3.85 m was expected around 4.15 pm and that if the heavy rains continued the situation could worsen. The weather department has given a forecast of heavy rains throughout the day.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: School kids walk through a flooded street
Photographs: Sahil Salvi

The Meteorological Department says Mumbai could experience more heavy showers in the days to come.

The city may also witness gusty winds and thunderstorms in the next 48 hours, Met officials said.

Mumbai is waterlogged again

Image: Students make their way through the flooded foyer of a college
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
For past many years, monsoon rains have been playing havoc in the Mumbai. According to the city's municipal officers, about a billion rupees are spent each year on bracing the city for the monsoon downpours. Yet rains continue to disrupt normal life.