The BMC had to demolish a wall adjoining the nullah to clear the area of logged water. (Story and Pics/Eshanpriya MS)
Videos of waterlogging, stranded citizens, and a distressed bike rider surfaced and were shared by MNCDF Bombay, a citizens' welfare forum, prompting the BMC to take action to pump water off the street
Urich Kamath, co-convenor of MNCDF, said, “The water filled up the street really fast, and maybe that's why the rider did not get a chance to move. We had to throw a rope towards him to bring him to the safety of the adjoining housing society"
Gajanan Bellale, Assistant Commissioner of the N ward, told mid-day, “A wall was constructed along the boundary of the SWD drain to prevent damage to the nullah during pre-monsoon road repair work. This was causing an obstruction to surface water flow along Sikova Road”
He said, “As the major Sikova nullah was flowing at full capacity, water was not receding through lateral drains. Therefore, to ensure the surface water flowed to the drain, the wall was demolished by ward staff, restoring the situation”
An official from the ward said, “About 4 feet of water was logged only at one point. This was being obstructed by the wall, which was about 3 metres in height, adjoining the nullah. We demolished the wall, and water cleared off in 15–20 minutes”
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