India – Deadly Floods in Maharashtra, Mumbai Streets Under Water (Updated)

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Update, 31 August 2017

Building Collapse in Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai

At least seven people have died after a building collapsed in the Bhendi Bazaar area of Mumbai, on 31 August, 2017.

Rescuers from fire, ambulance and India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are working at the scene. It is thought that between 30 and 45 people are trapped in the building.

Parts of Mumbai and Maharashtra state were hit by heavy rain and flooding from 29 August. Some local media outlets are suggesting that the building in Bhendi Bazaar collapsed as a result of damage caused by the recent heavy rain and floods. There has been no confirmation of this from official sources.

Original report, 30 August 2017

Torrential rain on 29 August, 2017 caused widespread flooding in parts of Mumbai, India. Surrounding districts in Maharashtra state have also seen flooding and local media report that at least 5 people are dead or missing in floods in Palghar and Thane districts.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that “heavy to very heavy rainfall very likely at a few places with isolated extremely heavy rainfall in North Konkan” for 29 August.

The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai also known as Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said that five areas received more than 200mm rainfall in just five hours: Parel (230mm), Matunga (253mm), Worli (243mm), Kurla (208 mm), Vile Parle (212mm), and Santacruz (212mm).

According to WMO figures, Mumbai Santa Cruz recorded 251 mm in 24 hours between 29 and 30 August.

Thane city received 340 mm of rain in 24 hours on Tuesday 29 August, according to Thane Municipal Corporation.

A high tide coupled with strong winds prevented flood water from draining. Mumbai’s ageing and often clogged drainage system was once again criticized by many local observers. Despite the catastrophic flooding of 2005, little progress appears to have been made in mitigating flooding in once of the world’s most populous and flood-prone cities.

By the afternoon of 29 August, several parts of Mumbai had been inundated, some with flood water chest-deep. Schools were closed and trains and flights cancelled. The King Edward Memorial Hospital flooded, forcing staff to evacuate the paediatric ward.

Ten teams of the National Disaster Relief Force have been posted in the city to assist in the event of any rescue operations. The BMC had deployed 300 pumps which were pumping out water.

No fatalities have been reported as a result of flooding in Mumbai city. However, at least 5 people have died in flood-related incidents in the nearby districts of Palghar and Thane.

Mumbai police flood rescues, August 2017. Photo: Indian Police Service Association

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