Mumbai and its suburbs witnessed chaos following a torrential downpour that saw over 60 millimetres of rainfall in just 24 hours. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory recorded 62 mm of rain, while Colaba received 23 mm. The intense rainfall led to widespread waterlogging, bringing parts of the city to a standstill.
Particularly distressing scenes emerged from Sakinaka, where streets turned into virtual rivers of rubbish. A viral video shared by the handle @mumbaimatterz showed heaps of floating garbage in waterlogged lanes, sparking outrage online. The caption read, “OMG … This is SakiNaka… It’s a Pathetic Sight… But better than Singapore for some.”
Social media users vented their frustrations at the deteriorating civic infrastructure and poor waste management. One resident commented, “They like to live in this mess. They throw garbage and then park their vehicles, which prevents the garbage from being removed.” Another added, “There was no waterlogging on Andheri-Kurla Road a few years back. Now, even a little rain floods the area. What went wrong?” A third questioned the authorities’ priorities, saying, “When are they increasing the property tax, road tax, and fines in the name of giving Mumbaikars a world-class smart city?”
The heavy showers were accompanied by thunder and lightning, affecting numerous parts of the metropolis. Between 8 AM on 20 May and 8 AM on 21 May, average rainfall across the city stood at 24 mm, 26 mm in the eastern suburbs, and 40 mm in the western suburbs. The IMD classified this as “moderate” rainfall.
Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued high tide warnings, with peaks expected at 3.07 metres and 3.79 metres. These conditions may worsen the ongoing flooding, compounding the city’s woes.
Source: Mumbai Now
