Mumbai: Mumbai is set to face its highest high tide of the season on Saturday. The high tide of 4.90 metres is expected at 1.44 pm. However, if it rains during this period, waterlogging in the city will be unavoidable, the Brihanmumbai Muni-cipal Corporation said.
On Friday afternoon the city witnessed second-highest tide, 4.85 metres, this monsoon with moderate to heavy rainfall throughout the day. However, during the hightide at 12.59 pm the rains had taken a break due to which rainwater could drain out to the sea easily and no waterlogging was reported.
The eastern suburbs received 40.32 mm rainfall; while western suburbs and city area recei-ved 45.63 mm and 20.94 mm rainfall respectively.
K.S. Hosalikar, deputy director general of IMD tweeted, “With the development of low pressure area over Bay of Bengal, this Saturday night and Sunday, Mumbai is very likely to get intense rainfall.”
A senior officer from storm water drain department said, the dewatering pumps are operating at all chronic flooding spots to fasten the rainwater receding. “On Saturday afternoon the high tide is of 4.90 metres. If the city receives heavy rainfall at this time, waterlogging is unavoidable, as the sea level does not allow rainwater from the city to drain out. The seawater in fact comes in with the flow, flooding the city. We have installed 322 dewatering pumps at all chronic flooding locations and six pumping stations are also operational,” the officer said.
According to BMC, Mumbai will again witness high tide of 4.90 metres on August 31. “Only pumping stations are useful to stop seawater from entering the city during high tides. However, two important pumping stations at Mah-ul and Mogra are yet to be installed. The Mogra pu-mping station will avoid flooding at Vile Parle, Andheri and adjoining areas. While Mahul pumping station will provide relief to Chembur, Sion and Kurla areas. The gates of the pumping stations are closed to restrict sea water entry in the city,” the officer added.
