Mumbai witnesses highest tides in 100 years

Mumbai, July 24 (ANI): Scores of people gathered at Mumbai's Gateway of India on Friday to watch the tallest waves in 100 years.

Mumbai was lashed by tidal waves 5.5 metres high, and curious residents also visited places like, Marine Drive, Juhu and Worli among others to have a glimpse of the soaring sea waves.

The fire brigade, coast guard and other authorities were on an alert and around 200 families were evacuated from the coastal regions.

"I read into the newspaper that it is going to be century's highest tide that's going to be here in Mumbai that's going to be 5 metres tall. Just wanted to experience how it is like," said Narayan Shravan.

The high tides were believed to occur by a combination of monsoon and strong gravitational pull of the moon two days after the new moon.

Barricades were placed in seashore vicinity as a safety measure, as water roared over roads near Prabhadevi, Worli, Juhu and Bandra part from the one near the Gateway of India just outside the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel.

Coastal areas near Mumbai, such as Thane, Bhayander, Uttan, Palghar, Boisar and Dahanu also experienced the unusual high tides.

The high tide started at 2.05 pm and the waters are to ebb at 8.09 p.m. when it will reach the lowest level of 0.77 metre, the weather bureau said. (ANI)