Mumbai received nearly 250 mm rain in 24 hours, normal life largely unaffected: Mayor

Mayor Ritu Tawde speaks to the media at Andheri Subway where waterlogging was reported earlier in the day. PIC/X

Mumbai received nearly 250 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending 8 am on Wednesday, accounting for around 45 per cent of the city's average rainfall for June. Despite the heavy downpour, normal life in the city remained largely unaffected, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde said.

Speaking to the media after inspecting several rain-affected locations across the city, she further stated that the smooth functioning of civic infrastructure and the quick drainage of water from low-lying areas reflected the effectiveness of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) pre-monsoon preparations.

"Despite the heavy rainfall, normal life in Mumbai has remained largely smooth. Water accumulated in low-lying and vulnerable areas was drained out quickly. Public representatives and the administration are working in coordination, and road and railway traffic are operating without major disruption," said Tawde.

The mayor conducted inspections at multiple locations from Wednesday morning, including the Hindmata mini pumping station, Gandhi Market mini pumping station, Milan Subway, Andheri Subway, and Malad Subway, and reviewed the response measures being undertaken by civic authorities.

During the inspection, Tawde issued directions to officials to ensure uninterrupted drainage operations and maintain preparedness in view of the continuing monsoon season.

She said Mumbai recorded between 225 mm and 250 mm of rainfall during the 24-hour period and that civic machinery had been working round the clock to ensure the swift drainage of rainwater from low-lying areas.

The mayor directed officials to ensure that no manholes are left open, stormwater drains are cleaned regularly, and water pumps remain operational to facilitate timely drainage. She also instructed them to take into consideration suggestions made by local corporators while carrying out monsoon-related works.

Tawde said civic officials and elected representatives were working in coordination to ensure that residents do not face inconvenience and that normal life remains unaffected despite the heavy rainfall.

Several civic officials and local public representatives accompanied the mayor during the inspection visit.

Mumbai civic chief reviews rain situation, urges citizens to follow weather advisories

Following heavy rainfall across the Brihanmumbai region on Monday night and in the early hours of Wednesday, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide visited the civic body's Emergency Control Room at the BMC headquarters around 4.30 am to review the situation.

During the visit, Bhide assessed the impact of the heavy rain and the preparedness of various civic departments in responding to weather-related incidents across the city.

She appealed to citizens to follow advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and contact the BMC's control room in the event of any emergency.

According to the civic administration, all the BMC departments and emergency response teams were actively deployed across Mumbai. Officials and staff members remained stationed at various locations and were closely monitoring developments arising from the heavy rainfall.

The BMC said its machinery was working on the ground to respond to rain-related issues and ensure that essential services and emergency response systems remained operational.