July 31, 2025: In an ambitious effort to tackle chronic flooding in the western suburbs, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to install at least 25 floodgates along inter-tidal stretches of the Mithi River. The Rs 2,300-crore project, inspired by South Korea’s advanced flood prevention systems, aims to protect flood-prone areas such as Kurla, Sion, Kalina, and Chunabhatti.
The Mithi River, spanning 17.8 km, serves as a crucial stormwater drain for Mumbai, originating from Powai and Vihar lakes and passing through densely populated areas including Bandra-Kurla Complex, Dharavi, and Andheri before discharging into the Arabian Sea. Years of encroachment, construction, and waste dumping have severely reduced its carrying capacity, contributing to frequent flooding during the monsoon.
The 2005 deluge, which brought over 944 mm of rainfall in a single day, saw the Mithi overflow and submerge key areas, resulting in over 400 deaths and widespread disruption. Despite ongoing desilting and widening work by BMC and MMRDA, waterlogging continues in low-lying zones like Milan Subway and Dharavi.
The proposed floodgates will be installed from the vicinity of the domestic airport to the Mahim Causeway, helping to regulate tidal flow and prevent backflow into the city’s drainage network. Officials state the project is expected to be completed within three years.
South Korea employs floodgates across urban rivers, tidal zones, and dam systems, combined with smart monitoring technologies. Cities like Seoul use real-time sensors, automated gates, and underground flood storage to manage rainfall efficiently and avoid urban inundation. While Mumbai receives nearly double the annual rainfall compared to South Korea, BMC hopes adopting a similar multi-layered strategy will significantly reduce flood risk in vulnerable areas during intense monsoon spells.
Source: News 18
