Aaditya Thackeray blames BJP as heavy rain triggers waterlogging across Mumbai

Shiv Sena UBT MLA Aaditya Thackeray on Wednesday criticised the BJPled administration over widespread waterlogging in Mumbai following heavy rainfall alleging that the government had failed to prioritise civic infrastructure and longterm flood mitigation measuresHis remarks came as several parts of Mumbai and neighbouring areas witnessed severe waterlogging after intense overnight showers disrupting traffic and affecting daily life The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued weather alerts for Mumbai and adjoining districts warning of further rainfallThackeray calls for focus on governanceIn a post on X the Worli MLA said the recurring flooding should serve as a reminder for the government to focus on governance and urban infrastructure rather than political battlesAnother reminder to the government to focus on governance instead of only focussing on dirty politics Rain Water Holding Tanks Mumbai needs to be a sponge city in 201819 through the BMC we started working on rainwater holding tanks that will prevent water logging in typical spots This is needed for a coastal city like ours along with Pumping Stations and increasing the diameter of the Storm Water Drains as the next step said Aaditya ThackerayHe argued that a combination of rainwater holding tanks pumping stations and upgraded stormwater drainage systems would help Mumbai better manage heavy rainfall and reduce flooding in vulnerable locationsClaims previous projects reduced floodingHighlighting projects undertaken during the Shiv Sena UBTled administration in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC Thackeray pointed to rainwater holding tanks constructed at Hind Mata and Milan SubwayFrom 2020 2022 we proved its worth by making them at Hind Mata Gandhi Market and Milan Subway Whats worse is they dont even operate the pumps and holding tanks at Hind Mata properly anymore to ensure it remains flood free despite the system being in place Over the next 4 years this bjp regime has drained the BMC of its funds but hasnt made a single rain water holding tank he addedThackeray alleged that despite inheriting infrastructure projects designed to mitigate flooding the current administration had failed to maintain and expand themQuestions raised over desalination project and monsoon preparednessThe Shiv Sena UBT leader also criticised the governments handling of longterm water security measures including the proposed desalination projectIt has not even pushed ahead with our project of desalination only now it speaks of it Now it speaks of it again So technically neither has the bjp regime made any city of Maharashtra monsoon ready in case of heavy rains nor has it made our cities self reliant in the situation of less rains Who does the regime work for apart from its favoured builders and contractors said ThackerayHe alleged that the state government had failed to prepare Maharashtras cities either for excessive rainfall or for periods of water scarcityHeavy rainfall disrupts normal lifeMumbai received heavy rainfall throughout the night leading to waterlogging in several lowlying areas across the city and suburbs Similar conditions were reported in parts of Navi MumbaiThe IMD issued an Orange Alert for Mumbai and nearby districts warning of moderate to intense rainfall over Mumbai Thane Raigad Palghar and Sindhudurg Authorities advised residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel in waterlogged areasThe broader weather alert framework placed Mumbai its suburbs and Palghar under a red alert while Thane remained under an orange alert Raigad Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg were placed under a yellow alertAndheri subway shut train services continueAccording to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation intermittent heavy rainfall continued through the morning accompanied by cloudy skies and the possibility of lightning and thunderOne of the most affected locations was the Andheri subway which was closed to vehicular traffic after being inundated by rainwaterDespite the adverse weather conditions suburban train services remained largely unaffected Western Railway said local train operations on major routes including the Harbour Line and the ChurchgateDahanu corridor continued to run normally during the morning peak hoursThe latest spell of heavy rain has once again brought attention to Mumbais longstanding challenges with urban flooding and the ongoing debate over the citys preparedness for extreme weather events