Pre-monsoon showers bring relief from heat, flood some spots

A spell of showers hit Mumbai on Sunday, bring relief from the summer heat and prompting scores of residents to venture out. Many headed for the seafront.

The pre-monsoon rain, however, left its impact on low-lying areas which experienced flooding and subsequent traffic snarls. At Parel and Hindamata, one of the perennially troubled spots, people were seen wading through knee-deep water.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation authorities had to deploy pumps to clear water from inundated roads. Apart from having a bowl-shaped topography, Hindamata faces the problem of very narrow drains.

Officials said the civic body is installing a 500-metre-long storm water drain in Hindmata which is expected to reduce flooding by over 40%.

The work was to be completed by May 31, however a week after the deadline, civic officials say that part of the work is yet to be completed. Only then, they will be in a position to ascertain the monsoon and flooding test.

Laxman Vhatkar, director of engineering services and projects, said, "There is a lot of garbage on the roads which had clogged the drains leading to temporary flooding. Once they are cleared, the situation will be better."

Meanwhile, water accumulated at some stretches on JJ flyover, slowing down the traffic.