Mumbai Waterlogging News: City's Flood-Prone Areas Rise To 453 As Monsoon Nears

As Mumbai braces for the upcoming monsoon season, the issue of waterlogging in low-lying areas continues to worsen. Despite efforts by the Municipal Corporation to implement modern systems designed to prevent water accumulation, the number of flood-prone areas has significantly increased.

Last year, Mumbai saw 60 areas affected by waterlogging, but this year, the number has risen to 86, pushing the total number of flood-prone areas from 386 to 453, as reported by Lokmat. This uptick is a concern, as it means more areas will likely face significant waterlogging issues, potentially causing inconvenience to the city's residents.

Photo Credit: PTI

The Municipal Corporation had managed to control waterlogging in 326 flood-prone areas last year. While efforts were made to address the remaining 60 areas, the number of vulnerable zones has now risen again. However, the Municipal Corporation has claimed that it has managed to bring 369 flood-prone areas under control, leaving 86 places still at risk of flooding this monsoon.

New Flood-Prone Areas Emerging

Each monsoon season brings new flood-prone areas, which are often caused by factors like the accumulation of silt in stormwater drains. When the water flow is disrupted in these drains, it leads to localised flooding. The municipal authorities have conducted physical inspections and have begun taking immediate or long-term actions to address these issues. These efforts aim to restore the smooth flow of water in stormwater drains and prevent flooding in affected areas.

Improved Drainage Systems

While the number of waterlogging areas is rising, there has been some positive news regarding drainage systems. The rate of water drainage has improved significantly in recent years. Areas where rainwater used to accumulate for several hours now experience water drainage within minutes. In particular, the Milan Subway, a historically problematic area, has not experienced any waterlogging for the past two years.

Challenges in Controlling Some Areas

Despite these improvements, there are still challenges that prevent full control of waterlogging in some areas. One major issue is the lack of adequate measures by other authorities, such as the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and the Railways. Many of the persistent waterlogging zones are located in slum areas, which require more focused efforts from various agencies to resolve the problem.