Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, has long been synonymous with monsoon deluges that put its infrastructure, people, and spirit to the test. The 2024 monsoon season was no exception, with heavy downpours, waterlogged streets, and disrupted daily life making headlines once again. While Mumbai’s resilient residents soldiered on, this year’s rains provided both moments of awe at nature’s raw power and calls for better urban planning.
A Season of Extremes
The monsoon of 2024 will be remembered for its extremes. While the rains started later than usual, by mid-June, Mumbai had already experienced heavy showers. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued multiple warnings about heavy to very heavy rainfall, leading to preparation efforts by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the state government. Despite early interventions, the intensity of the rains overwhelmed the city's drainage systems, causing widespread flooding.
July and August saw the heaviest downpours. On several occasions, the city recorded more than 100mm of rain in just a few hours, a pattern that caused havoc during rush hours. Streets transformed into rivers, cars were submerged, and local trains—the lifeblood of Mumbai—were halted in certain areas due to waterlogged tracks. One of the heaviest rainfalls was recorded on July 23rd, with some parts of the city receiving over 200mm of rain in 24 hours. This led to major disruptions in public transport, and several flights were delayed or canceled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Urban Flooding: A Recurring Challenge
Mumbai’s topography and rapid urbanization continue to make it vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains. Areas like Sion, Kurla, Andheri, and Dadar faced severe waterlogging this year, reminiscent of the infamous 2005 deluge. However, 2024 saw notable improvements in certain flood-prone areas like Hindmata, where new drainage pumps and elevated roads helped mitigate the worst of the flooding. The BMC's efforts to clear stormwater drains before the rains undoubtedly reduced some of the worst impacts, though the rains outpaced the drainage system in many regions.
Localities close to the Mithi River once again bore the brunt of flooding. Despite desilting efforts, the river overflowed due to the combined impact of heavy rain and tidal surges. Environmentalists argue that encroachment and unchecked construction around the river and Mumbai's shrinking mangrove cover have exacerbated flooding issues over the years.
Transport and Power Disruptions
With Mumbai receiving some of the heaviest rain in the country, the city's transport network experienced severe interruptions. The suburban train network, often called the city’s lifeline, faced delays and partial suspensions, particularly on the Western and Central lines. Despite efforts to minimize disruptions, waterlogged tracks in areas like Kurla and Sion brought train services to a halt for hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
Road traffic was similarly affected, with highways like the Western Express Highway and Eastern Freeway experiencing severe bottlenecks due to flooding. Waterlogging on arterial roads made commuting nearly impossible for days, with motorists trapped in long traffic snarls.
Power outages were another major issue during the peak of the monsoon season. Several neighborhoods reported power cuts lasting hours, with areas like Borivali, Malad, and Powai among the worst hit. In many cases, power was deliberately cut off as a precautionary measure to prevent accidents caused by water seeping into electrical equipment.
The Human Toll
While the rains bring much-needed relief to a city dealing with summer heat, they also lead to loss of life and property. As of August 2024, over 30 lives were lost in rain-related incidents. Most fatalities were due to electrocution, building collapses, or drowning in open drains and flooded areas. Despite numerous warnings, the hazards of pothole-ridden roads and open manholes claimed lives, sparking public outrage and calls for better safety measures.
Families living in slums and low-lying areas were among the most affected, with thousands forced to evacuate their homes. Several temporary shelters were set up by the government, but these were often inadequate in the face of the sheer number of displaced people. Social workers and NGOs played a key role in distributing essentials like food, water, and medical aid to affected communities.
Climate Change and the Future of Mumbai Rains
Experts believe that the intensity of Mumbai’s monsoons is being exacerbated by climate change. With rising sea levels and more unpredictable rainfall patterns, Mumbai’s infrastructure will continue to face challenges. While the city's drainage systems and flood management strategies have seen some upgrades, more comprehensive efforts are needed to prepare for future monsoons.
A sustainable solution would involve not only improving drainage and flood management but also rethinking urban planning. Ensuring that open spaces like mangroves and wetlands are preserved can act as natural buffers against flooding. Better rainwater harvesting systems and green infrastructure could also alleviate some of the pressure on the city’s drainage system during extreme rainfall.
Conclusion: The Resilience of Mumbai
Despite the destruction and inconvenience, Mumbai’s resilience has been evident throughout the monsoon of 2024. From people helping push stalled cars in knee-deep water to volunteers distributing food packets to those stranded, the spirit of unity that characterizes the city came to the fore once again. However, the recurring issues with urban flooding, infrastructure bottlenecks, and unplanned development call for urgent action. As climate change continues to intensify, Mumbai must not only adapt but transform itself into a city prepared for the future—where heavy rains may no longer be an exception but a norm.
