Decision Makers:
Brihan-Mumbai Municipal Corporation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
- Smt. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, MMRDA
- Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA
Demands:
Improved Drainage Systems: Upgrade and maintain the city's drainage infrastructure to handle heavy rainfall effectively.
Flood-Resilient Urban Planning: Implement urban planning measures that incorporate flood-resilient designs and prevent construction in flood-prone areas.
Introduction:
Every monsoon, Mumbai faces the same nightmare: streets turning into rivers, trains getting delayed, and homes getting flooded. While the rains are often romanticised in films and literature, bringing to mind images of joyous moments and scenic beauty, the reality for Mumbaikars is far more harsh.
Mumbai ranks fifth in the world for annual flood-related losses, totaling $284 million, a review by a global think tank notes. [1]
It's high time we move beyond celebrating the "spirit of Mumbai" and demand real, tangible solutions from our authorities.
What is the Issue?
Every year, the monsoon rains bring Mumbai to a standstill, highlighting severe shortcomings in the city’s infrastructure and preparedness. This year, the situation was no different, with several areas recording an overwhelming 200 mm to 300 mm of rainfall in just six hours. The result? Flooded streets and homes, businesses damaged, and public transportation grinding to a halt.
A few reasons for this:
Mumbai's 140 year old drainage system struggles with heavy rains. Originally designed to drain 50% of water into groundwater when the city was greener, the depletion in green cover leaves the water with nowhere to go. Most drains were heavily silted and punctured, a 2019 report that was tabled in the state assembly by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted.Rapid urban development has destroyed natural flood barriers like mangroves and wetlands. Land reclamation projects have altered the city's landscape, increasing risk of floods.
Unchecked construction in flood-prone areas and poor urban planning are a few other reasons.
Navigating waterlogged streets during Mumbai’s monsoon season is risky, especially in low-lying areas where homes are frequently flooded. Suburban trains become unreliable, stranding lakhs of commuters and disrupting long-distance travel. Businesses face significant losses, schools close, and daily wage earners lose income, adding to financial strain.
Additionally, stagnant water breeds diseases like dengue and malaria which cause serious public health concerns, while submerged power lines and open manholes pose safety hazards.
We are urging authorities, including BMC, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and MMRDA to urgently revamp Mumbai's outdated drainage systems and ensure regular maintenance to manage heavy rainfall effectively.
We need to shift the focus from merely celebrating resilience to demanding accountability and action from our leaders. Mumbai’s monsoon woes are not new, but they should not be accepted as unchangeable.We urge the government and relevant authorities to prioritise this issue and implement effective measures that protect the lives and livelihoods of Mumbai’s residents.
Sign this petition to demand better preparedness for flooding and waterlogging in Mumbai.
Sources:
Watch: Heavy Rain Brings Mumbai To A Standstill, Trains Hit, Schools Shut
Mumbai rains LIVE Updates: IMD issues ‘red alert’ for heavy showers; Schools, colleges shut
India: Why the city that never stops comes to a standstill when it rains
Monsoon misery: Why Mumbai suffers from chronic flooding year after year
Decision Makers:
Brihan-Mumbai Municipal Corporation
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde
- Smt. Sujata Saunik, Chief Secretary, MMRDA
- Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA
Demands:
Improved Drainage Systems: Upgrade and maintain the city's drainage infrastructure to handle heavy rainfall effectively.
Flood-Resilient Urban Planning: Implement urban planning measures that incorporate flood-resilient designs and prevent construction in flood-prone areas.
Introduction:
Every monsoon, Mumbai faces the same nightmare: streets turning into rivers, trains getting delayed, and homes getting flooded. While the rains are often romanticised in films and literature, bringing to mind images of joyous moments and scenic beauty, the reality for Mumbaikars is far more harsh.
Mumbai ranks fifth in the world for annual flood-related losses, totaling $284 million, a review by a global think tank notes. [1]
It's high time we move beyond celebrating the "spirit of Mumbai" and demand real, tangible solutions from our authorities.
What is the Issue?
Every year, the monsoon rains bring Mumbai to a standstill, highlighting severe shortcomings in the city’s infrastructure and preparedness. This year, the situation was no different, with several areas recording an overwhelming 200 mm to 300 mm of rainfall in just six hours. The result? Flooded streets and homes, businesses damaged, and public transportation grinding to a halt.
A few reasons for this:
Mumbai's 140 year old drainage system struggles with heavy rains. Originally designed to drain 50% of water into groundwater when the city was greener, the depletion in green cover leaves the water with nowhere to go. Most drains were heavily silted and punctured, a 2019 report that was tabled in the state assembly by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India noted.Rapid urban development has destroyed natural flood barriers like mangroves and wetlands. Land reclamation projects have altered the city's landscape, increasing risk of floods.
Unchecked construction in flood-prone areas and poor urban planning are a few other reasons.
Navigating waterlogged streets during Mumbai’s monsoon season is risky, especially in low-lying areas where homes are frequently flooded. Suburban trains become unreliable, stranding lakhs of commuters and disrupting long-distance travel. Businesses face significant losses, schools close, and daily wage earners lose income, adding to financial strain.
Additionally, stagnant water breeds diseases like dengue and malaria which cause serious public health concerns, while submerged power lines and open manholes pose safety hazards.
We are urging authorities, including BMC, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and MMRDA to urgently revamp Mumbai's outdated drainage systems and ensure regular maintenance to manage heavy rainfall effectively.
We need to shift the focus from merely celebrating resilience to demanding accountability and action from our leaders. Mumbai’s monsoon woes are not new, but they should not be accepted as unchangeable.We urge the government and relevant authorities to prioritise this issue and implement effective measures that protect the lives and livelihoods of Mumbai’s residents.
Sign this petition to demand better preparedness for flooding and waterlogging in Mumbai.
Sources:
Watch: Heavy Rain Brings Mumbai To A Standstill, Trains Hit, Schools Shut
Mumbai rains LIVE Updates: IMD issues ‘red alert’ for heavy showers; Schools, colleges shut
India: Why the city that never stops comes to a standstill when it rains
Monsoon misery: Why Mumbai suffers from chronic flooding year after year