After experiencing high tidal waves of 4.38 meters that led to flooding in low-lying areas of Worli, Shivaji Park and Mahim and several parts of south Mumbai, trapping several vehicles in the water including the Gateway of India, the commercial capital Mumbai is again gearing up for more high tides due to full moon during the next few days.
According to the latest weather update by Skymet Meteorology Division in India, the situation could be grim in low lying areas also due to the fact that once Nanauk, a tropical storm in Arabian Sea moves away, monsoon rain in Mumbai which has been waiting till now would intensify during the next 72 hours.
According to media reports, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) on Thursday issued a circular that stated that tidal waves higher than 4.5 metres are expected to hit the Mumbai coast from Friday till June 18.
Here are some of the other arrangements that have been made in the circular to counter the affects of the high tidal waves in Mumbai:
-The civic body has made arrangements to prevent any eventuality. It has asked people not to venture in to the sea. Fifteen security guards have been posted at Gateway of India in south Mumbai between 10 am to 6 pm who will prohibit people from going near the sea
-Six teams have been made for sensitive areas in the metropolis where each will comprise members of fire brigade personnel, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and lifeguards. These will be deployed in areas like Girgaon, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Aksa beach, Gorai beach and Chowpatty beach, where there are chances of flooding.
-A special disaster control mechanism has been put in place, where a special team will be attending to emergency calls from citizens three hours before and after the scheduled time of the high tide.
Photograph by Kelisi