Deshmukh plays down US advisory on Mumbai rains

The advisory by US consulate warns US tourists about Mumbai’s monsoon downpour and 2005 floods.

The Maharashtra state administration is downplaying a recent US advisory warning Americans who may visit Mumbai during monsoon rains.

“There is no need for undue concern,” said none other than Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh. “We are geared to tackle any eventuality.”

The advisory by US consulate in Mumbai warns US tourists about Mumbai’s monsoon preparedness and comes with a reminder of 2005 floods that resulted in virtual chaos for several days.

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The Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also reportedly written to the US consulate, saying portions of the advisory are far from truth and projects India’s financial capital in bad light to the world.

The advisory asks US citizens to take common sense precautions and says that BMC officials are likely to open manhole covers on roads to ease flooding without placing warning markers around them.

The BMC letter says not a single accident has been reported due to manholes. “All of them are properly marked and covered even when they are left open,” said the letter written by Additional Municipal Commissioner R A Rajeev.

The US travel advisory also warns that sidewalks in Mumbai are non-existent in some areas. “It is possible that you could inadvertently step into an open manhole,” it said.