Mumbai: BMC's claims of monsoon preparedness washed out, pumping stations worth Rs 200 cr out of service

Mumbai: Ahead of Monsoons, India’s richest civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) made tall claims that the city is prepared to tackle incessant rains, but on the day of reckoning, the reality is out in the open. The BMC spent hundreds of crores to gear up for Monsoons but when needed, two pumping stations worth Rs 200 crore and 120 suction pumps are out of service.

As the city experienced the first showers of the season, several areas have been waterlogged bringing India’s financial capital to a standstill.

However, hailing work done by the civic body to battle the heavy showers, City's Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta said that all officials have worked hard to minimise the effects of rains on the city.

"People should stay away from the seas and ensure that they do not walk on the promenade. Also, before leaving their homes, people should make sure that the route they plan to take is safe for travel," he added.

The city is unlikely to witness a respite as the Met department has predicted rains on Saturday too. BMC has also issued a high tide alert and residents have been asked to stay away from beach areas

Meanwhile, two people have lost their lives in rain related incidents in teh capital. The BMC had planned to order evacuations near the Mithi river if it crossed the danger mark. However, the river is currently flowing at 1.4 mts which is much below the danger mark of 2.5 mts.

Mumbai's Kurla, Sion, Matunga, Hindmata, Jogeshwari and Andheri are the worst affected areas due to the waterlogging. The city's landmark Bandra-Worli Sea Link has been shut which may lead to heavy traffic jam.

The downpours inundated low-lying areas and also caused water-logging of railway tracks. Local train services cancelled leaving thousands of commuters stranded. While Central Railway services still remain cancelled, the Western Railway has partially resumed services on a limited stretch between Andheri and Virar.

The first big civic fallout was BEST buses being diverted as all three major lines have been disrupted. BEST has also shut down four sub-stations in Colaba.

Flight operations at the city airport were delayed by up to 45 minutes and three services had to be diverted due to incessant rain that has been lashing the financial capital since late Thursday evening.