As Met office warns for the worst, Mumbai fights to keep its head up

MUMBAI: Day three of near non-stop rains once again threw citizens off track on Wednesday. People who ventured out faced trouble commuting, particularly on the Central Railway’s Main and Harbour lines where services were suspended for some time. BEST offered the best way out of the mess by operating 117 additional buses.

Air traffic was severely affected as the airport was closed for more than two hours.

Yet, this may just be the start of the city’s monsoon woes. Worse is expected. The city will see tides above 4.5m from July 9 to 16.

“July 9 to 16 is a critical phase,” said Principal Secretary Umesh Sarangi, “as high tide coupled with heavy downpour spells trouble.”

A senior official in the disaster management cell said the meteorological department has predicted 4.5m high tides. “In the last two days, the tides have peaked at 3.5m,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, the Union home ministry convened a meeting to review the flood situation in Maharashtra. The ministry directed the cell to give it hourly updates on the situation.