Mumbai: As the Mumbai skies opened up on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Muncipal Corporation's (BMC) tall claims of monsoon-preparedness were washed out in barely half an hour.
Dombivli resident Abhijit Hegde, who was at the Kurla stationwhen it rained was shocked at the sight he saw as the city experienced its first pre-monsoon showers.
"It rained for barely a few minutes, but the lane leading to Kurla station was completely flooded," said Hegde. (Image (L): Abhijit Hegde)
"The water had to be pumped out," he added.
"Not too long ago I had read about the BMC's declaration that it was all geared up for the monsoon and that the drainage had been cleaned. If that were true, how did the station area get flooded? I shudder to think what it will be like when it rains heavily," said Hegde.
According to the BMC, as many as 248 areas will be prone to water-logging once the monsoon commences. Besides the usual suspects, BMC has also added additions at unexpected areas.
Kalachowkie is one area prone to flooding. The area saw a caving-in of the road in February when a 125-year-old stormwater drain collapsed. Its repair is still incomplete.
"Floodwater from areas like Hindmata, a perennial flooding spot, won't be able to get to the outfall from where it is discharged into the sea. So, Kalachowkie too is likely to see flooding during the monsoon," said a senior official from the Storm Water Drain Department.
The corporation has identified 248 waterlogging spots in the city, 55 of them marked chronic. The BMC has asked the traffic police for footage from CCTV's installed at major traffic junctions.
Another area that is a concern this monsoon is the Prateeksha Nagar nullah that stretches from Sion to Mahul creek in Chembur. The 3-km stretch is reduced to a narrow stream due to BMC's Roads & Bridges Department.
"We have mentioned this problem to the BMC. If this nullah isn't widened, entire Sion area will be flooded," said Mangesh Satamkar, corporator.
BMC officials also admitted that Mumbaikars will suffer from the ongoing Metro and Monorail work "Ongoing infrastructure work will take a toll on the flooding around the areas. As a result, these areas may see considerable flooding due to the non- existent storm water drainage system, said an official.