NEW DELHI: Mumbai experienced significant rainfall exceeding 60 mm within 24 hours, bringing with it widespread chaos, waterlogging and misery. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Santacruz observatory registered 62 mm of rainfall, whilst Colaba station recorded 23 mm. Social media platforms were flooded with numerous videos showing disrupted activities across Mumbai. One of these videos emerging from Sakinaka sparked public outrage. The viral footage shows substantial amounts of rubbish floating through water-logged streets, causing severe traffic disruptions and difficulties for travellers. The video was shared by X handle @mumbaimatterz with the caption “OMG …. This is SakiNaka…It’s a Pathetic Sight…But better than Singapore for some.”Numerous social media users criticised the authorities regarding inadequate waste management and drainage infrastructure. “They like to live in this mess. They throw garbage and then park their vehicles bcoz of which the garbage cannot even be removed,” one user commented. “There was no waterlogging in Andheri-Kurla Rd (this Sakinaka – Asalpha part) a few years back. Now even a little rain and the whole place floods—what went wrong!?” noted another user.“When are they increasing the Property Tax, Road Tax, increase the Fine charges in name of giving Mumbaikars a world class smart city?” responded a third user. “This is so embarrassing,” added a fourth user.Various areas of India’s financial hub experienced heavy precipitation with thunder and lightning on Tuesday evening. Between 8 am on May 20 and 8 am on May 21, average rainfall measurements were 24 mm in the city, 26 mm in eastern suburbs, and 40 mm in western suburbs. The IMD classifies rainfall between 15.6 mm and 64.4 mm as “moderate”. The BMC announced expected high tides of 3.07 metres and 3.79 metres at 6.04 am and 6.35 pm respectively, with low tides of 1.74 metres and 1.71 metres predicted at 11.54 am and 1.25 am (May 22).
