Mumbai: Are Heavy Rains Causing Havoc and Submerging Homes in Kandivali?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Milind Vikas Samiti Society in Kandivali has been severely impacted by flooding.
- Residents are facing shortages of food and clean drinking water.
- Over 200 mm of rainfall has been recorded in various parts of Mumbai in the last 24 hours.
- The BMC has declared holidays for educational institutions due to the rain.
- Authorities are on high alert, coordinating relief efforts for affected areas.
Mumbai, Aug 19 (NationPress) The relentless downpour has brought life in Mumbai to a grinding halt, as the city struggles with severe waterlogging, traffic chaos, and inundated residences. One of the most affected locales is the Milind Vikas Samiti Society in Hanuman Nagar, Kandivali, where inhabitants have been confined indoors since early Tuesday morning due to flooding.
Water infiltrated numerous ground-floor apartments around 4 a.m. and has remained stagnant for over five hours. As the rain continues unabated, the circumstances have become increasingly desperate for many families. Daily activities have come to a standstill as residents fight for essential resources like food, drinking water, and electricity.
IANS spoke with Kandivali residents, who shared the challenges they are facing amid the relentless rains.
“We are engulfed by water. It has been five hours, and the water level is still high. We have no food, and no assistance has arrived yet,” expressed Ranjan, a local resident, voicing his discontent over the slow relief efforts.
Uma, another resident, conveyed her distress: “Water entered our home at 4 a.m. We have no dry area left to sit. No authorities have responded. This happens annually, and yet nothing changes.”
Sunil Vishwakarma added, “Mumbai has been pummeled by rain for the past four days. Everything is ruined. Our children are cramped upstairs. There’s no food or water. It’s a nightmare.”
The ongoing monsoon turmoil has placed much of Maharashtra on high alert, with Mumbai being particularly hard-hit. In just the last 24 hours, several regions have received over 200 mm of rainfall, with Vikhroli in the eastern suburbs recording the highest at 255.5 mm. Key areas such as Borivali, Andheri, Sion, Dadar, and Chembur have faced continuous downpours, leading to substantial waterlogging and disruptions in public transport.
As a precautionary measure, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) declared a holiday for all schools and colleges in Mumbai on Tuesday. The Thane Municipal Corporation followed by announcing a two-day closure for educational institutions on August 18 and 19 due to ongoing rain and the 'red alert' issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The IMD has cautioned of extremely heavy rainfall in Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts, advising citizens to venture out only if essential. Continued rainfall is expected until Thursday, with some respite anticipated by Friday.
In the meantime, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the State Emergency Control Room on Monday to evaluate the flood situation. He directed immediate relief actions for affected areas and called for better coordination among various civic agencies.
At least eight individuals have lost their lives across Maharashtra due to rain-related incidents in recent days. Rescue teams remain on high alert as the city braces for additional rainfall in the upcoming hours.