National Geographic to premier 'Mumbai Mega Flood' on July 15

Mumbai, July 11 (UNI) National Geographic Channel will present, ''Mumbai Mega Flood'', the story of the disastrous flood that brought the world's fifth largest city to a grinding halt.

''Mumbai Mega Flood'' will be premiered on July 15 at 2000 hrs, according to a press release here.

National Geographic Channel-India (Marketing) Vice President Rajesh Sheshadri said in the release, ''Monsoons bring back the fear of floods in Mumbai every year after the 2005 disaster and we believe that a show like Mumbai Mega Flood will play on important role in highlighting the challenge of life for people of Mumbai and bringing to light the reasons behind this recurring problem.'' On July 26, 2005, a month before Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans, Mumbai, India's financial capital received its highest rainfall in recorded history -- an incredible 944 mm rain was measured in single day, resulting in flood and leaving hundreds dead.

It began like any other monsoon day in Mumbai. It was a dull, cloudy day that gave no forewarning of the disaster that was to come, the release pointed out. Most people reported to work on time, blissfully unaware that their will to survive and tenacity would soon be put to the ultimate test. Through dramatic recreations, interviews with victims, meteorological experts and environmentalists, 'Mumbai Mega Flood' relives the traumatic and shocking events that brought the city of Mumbai to a halt, the release added.

Environmental destruction, unplanned construction, climate change and administration failure are the reasons cited by experts and environmentalists for the disaster. However, before any significant action is taken, Mumbai finds itself in the same situation again. On June 30 this year, it rained more than 600 mm in Mumbai bringing the city to a screeching halt and the city is still unprepared for it, the release said.

UNI