Has Mumbai's Mithi River Surpassed the Danger Level Amid Heavy Rain?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Mithi River has surpassed the danger level of 4 meters.
- All beaches in Mumbai are closed due to safety concerns.
- Authorities are relocating residents from high-risk areas.
- Train services are facing significant delays due to waterlogged tracks.
- Ongoing monitoring by BMC and police ensures public safety.
Mumbai, Aug 19 (NationPress) The Mithi River, a vital waterway in Mumbai, has officially exceeded the danger mark due to persistent rainfall impacting the city on Tuesday. The river has risen to a level of 4.07 meters, surpassing the alarming threshold of 4 meters. In response, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and local authorities have alerted residents in nearby areas to remain cautious, and individuals from Bhandup and Vikhroli have been relocated to safer zones due to the risk of landslides.
Due to the escalating rain, all beaches in Mumbai have been closed to both locals and tourists. This includes popular spots such as Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Aksa Beach, and Gorai Beach, which have been evacuated. Authorities have urged vigilance at coastal areas including Marine Drive, Worli Sea Face, Bandra Carter Road, and Madh Island, as the combination of heavy rain and high tides poses significant risks.
Suburban train services on the Central Railway are experiencing delays of 15 to 20 minutes due to waterlogging affecting tracks between Ghatkopar, Vidyavihar, Kurla, Sion, and Matunga stations. Local trains on the Harbour Line are also delayed by 20 to 25 minutes due to similar conditions affecting Kurla, Tilak Nagar, and Govandi stations. The Western Railway line is facing slowdowns due to water accumulation at Mahim and Matunga Road.
According to Dr. Swapnil Dhanraj Nila, the chief public relations officer of Central Railway, only about 3-4 stations on the Harbour Line are currently facing waterlogging issues. Consequently, train movements are delayed by approximately 10-15 minutes due to clamping at these stations.
“On the main line, delays average around 8-10 minutes, mainly due to reduced speeds caused by low visibility from heavy rainfall affecting various routes from Karjat to Kalyan, and Kalyan to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus,” he noted.
He further added, “During the evening peak hours, coinciding with high tide around 6:30 p.m., additional engineering teams have been deployed at waterlogged sites, equipped with necessary water removal tools, including high-capacity pumps.” The CR administration assures that train operations will normalize once water levels decrease.
The Western Railway posted on X, stating, “We will not stop, we will not pause... Local trains keep moving. Despite the recent continuous rain in Mumbai, our trains are ensuring that commuters reach their destinations safely.”
Long traffic jams have formed on the Eastern Express Highway, Eastern Freeway, and Western Express Highway.
Meanwhile, Mumbai's district co-guardian Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, along with Mumbai Police Commissioner Deven Bharti and BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, have visited the BMC's Disaster Management Control Room to oversee the situation caused by heavy rainfall and flooding.