Archive · 11 Jun 2025
Mumbai to Widen Drains to Mitigate Flash Floods
Mumbai is planning to widen its drains to prevent flooding during heavy rainfall.
Recent heavy rains on May 26 caused flooding due to drains that couldn't handle the water volume.
The city's drains, built in the colonial era, need upgrades as rainfall patterns and the city's population have changed.
The BMC plans to widen major drains to handle more rainfall, with surveys by agencies like IIT or VJTI to determine the necessary widening.
They will also use interventions like installing mesh to improve water flow and prevent blockages.
BMC plans to widen Mumbai's drains to prevent future flooding.
Heavy rainfall on May 26 caused flash floods due to insufficient drain capacity.
The goal is to increase the capacity of major drains to handle 120 mm of rainfall per hour.
Dedicated agencies will conduct surveys to determine drain widening needs.
Local-level interventions, like installing mesh, are also planned to enhance water flow.
- Who
- Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
- What
- BMC will widen Mumbai's drains to manage heavy rainfall and prevent flooding.
- When
- Following the heavy rainfall on May 26 and ongoing planning.
- Where
- Mumbai, focusing on the island city.
- Why
- To improve the carrying capacity of drains and address increased rainfall volume within short periods.
- Drainage Network Length
- Approximately 3,800 km
- Major drain length
- 261.52 km
- Minor drain length
- 411.56 km
- Objective
- Handle up to 120 mm of rainfall per hour.
- Previous Drain Capacity
- 25 mm rainfall per hour (originally), 55mm after 2006
- Survey Agency
- Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) or Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI)