Again, Mumbai waterlogged

Addressing a press conference at the civic headquarters, Phatak said that the geographical location of Netherlands, where various portions are below sea level, makes parts of the country prone to floods.

“Since people have not been able to find a solution for the floods, they have learnt to live with it,” he said.

When aghast mediapersons asked the commissioner if he was suggesting that residents of the financial capital should do so as well, Phatak quickly said he did not mean that, going on to repeat the old explanation of high tide coupled with heavy rains and the consequent delay in flood waters receding.

In the 30 hours ending 2.30 pm on Tuesday, the city saw 200 mm rainfall at Colaba and 149.9 mm rainfall at Santacruz.

Before the monsoon, the civic administration had assured citizens that the newly widened drains were capable of handling a maximum of 400 mm rain in a day’s time.

Still, on Tuesday, chronic spots were waterlogged all over again, with areas such as Kala Chowkie, Hindmata, Amulak School, Milan Subway, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Dadar workshop, King’s Circle, Grant Road station, Malad Subway and Kurar areas among the worst-hit.

Areas like Kurla and Kalina saw severe inundation too. “Areas like Nester Colony and Manipada are flooded. We are working with the disaster management teams to ensure that the rescue operations are carried out,” said Johnson Teratil, corporator from Kalina.

Phatak said that whenever there is high tide, it takes longer time for water to recede.

He also added that the number of monsoon days seeing more than 75 mm rainfall has increased over the years, resulting in an increasing number of flooding incidents.