Mumbai's worst flood-hit areas trace back to Mithi River catchment, BMC analysis shows

An aircraft takes off near Mithi river. File Pic/PTI

Are Mumbai's recurring monsoon flooding problems leading back to the Mithi? A mid-day analysis of the BMC's Flood Preparedness Guidelines 2026 shows that five of the seven wards recording the highest number of waterlogging incidents over the past decade lie in or overlap the river's catchment.

Between 2016 and 2025, recurring waterlogging was recorded across Kurla, Kalina, Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), Santacruz, Sakinaka, Powai, Vikhroli, Dharavi and Mahim - several of them connected to the Mithi and its network of nullahs. The 18-km river originates at Vihar Lake inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park and flows southwest through the city before emptying into Mahim Bay.

The findings come as the BMC is preparing a Rs 13,000-crore flood mitigation plan, which includes the next phase of the Mithi River improvement project.

Where the problem is concentrated

Most waterlogging incidents in:

L ward
Kurla, and Kalina

N ward
Ghatkopar

K East ward
Andheri East, Santacruz, and Jogeshwari

H East ward
Bandra, BKC, and Kalina

F North and G North wards
Dharavi, and Mahim

Five of these wards lie in or overlap the Mithi catchment, as per analysis

How the Mithi runs through Mumbai

Vihar Lake, SGNP (river originates)

>> Airport-Santacruz-Kalina belt
>> Kurla
>> Bandra-Kurla Complex
>> Dharavi-Mahim
>> Mahim Bay

Mithi meets the Arabian Sea

Why is Mithi vulnerable?

Factors identified as contributing to flooding or restricting the river include:

Encroachments
Development along both banks has affected the river corridor

Airport expansion
The river's course was altered for construction of the Santacruz runway and taxi bay extensions

BKC reclamation
Reclamation for development altered the surrounding floodplain

Loss of natural ponds
Reclamation reduced natural water-holding areas

A twisting course
The river has been forced to turn 94 times along its course, affecting the flow of water

The Rs 13,000-crore plan

The BMC is working on a R13,000-crore flood mitigation proposal for which financial assistance has been sought from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The plan includes extensive flood-control measures across Mumbai as well as the next phase of the Mithi River improvement project.

According to the proposal:

40%
Funding expected from the Central government

30%
Funding proposed from BMC

30%
Funding source needs clarification

Abhijit Bangar, Additional Municipal Commissioner
‘Mumbai's flooding can broadly be attributed to three factors - tidal flooding, low-lying areas and high-intensity rainfall. "In the case of the Mithi River, we have identified two major challenges. The first is the tidal impact, which can worsen flooding. We have decided to install 18 gate pumps along the Mithi River to reduce this impact and check waterlogging when high-intensity rainfall coincides with high tide. This will also help reduce inland flooding in vulnerable and densely populated areas along the banks of the Mithi. "The second challenge is floating garbage entering the Mithi through the nullahs. We have decided to install longitudinal grills along the banks of the Mithi and its nullahs to prevent people from dumping garbage into them."

What feeds the Mithi?

The river's catchment includes at least eight major nullahs and the Vakola River system.

These include drains around:
>> Sahar terminus near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
>> Jari Mari
>> Kurla near Kalpana Talkies
>> Kalidas Military Camp
>> Santacruz airport runway
>> Kalina Hill
>> Vakola River and its associated nullahs

This drainage network carries rainwater from large parts of the surrounding catchment towards the Mithi.

Waterlogging hotspots

Recurring trouble spots identified in the affected wards include:
>> Dharavi
>> Kismat Nagar
>> Kurla bus depot
>> Kalpana Talkies
>> Shalimar Hotel
>> Dhobi Ghat
>> LIG/MIG Colony, Ghatkopar
>> Kaju Pada
>> Kalina