Mumbaikars throng creek, authorities say water not potable

Mumbai, Aug 19 (UNI) Mumbaikars thronged the Mahim creek today following rumours that the sea water had turned sweet, but the Maharashtra government cautioned the people against drinking it.

The rumours that water in the Mahim Creek had turned sweet had spread like wildfire since last night and people thronged the site throught the night to taste the water. People were also seen filling bottles to take home.

Some people felt it was a miracle brought upon by a Sufi saint in whose memory a masjid has been built near the creek. The believers even carried the water to ailing kith and kin in the belief that the water had curative powers.

However, Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph said the water in the Mahim Creek is not potable and cautioned the public against drinking it.

Addressing mediapersons here this evening, Mr Joseph said the municipal corporation had collected samples of water from the Mahim Creek and Shivaji Park for chemical analysis, which revealed the samples contained 880 solid and 600 chloride particles per one lakh million litres of water as against the normal standard of 40 parts of total solids and 12 parts of chloride.

Mr Joseph said the corporation has requested the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) director to undertake a study of the reported phenomenon. Following the request, the NIO has deputed Dr M D Zingde, the scientist in-charge of NIO regional centre at Lokhandwala, to study the same and he will submit his report within four days.

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