Mumbai to Develop Master Plan to Handle Heavy Rainfall

Strategic Insights -

To address the recurring flood crisis in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is preparing a master plan to enable the city to handle rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour. The plan, which is being prepared in coordination with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), is expected to be submitted to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in July. The BMC's current storm water drainage system can handle only 55 mm rainfall per hour, and the authorities have acknowledged the need to upgrade the infrastructure to mitigate flood risks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The BMC is preparing a master plan to handle rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour, with the help of IIT and expected to be submitted to NDMA by July.
  • The current storm water drainage system in Mumbai can handle only 55 mm rainfall per hour, which is insufficient to mitigate flood risks.
  • The plan includes the construction of four new pumping stations, including two small stations and two large pumping stations at Mahul and Mogra.
  • The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 5,000 crores, which will be funded by additional grants from the NDMA.
  • The BMC has already received Rs 500 crore from the central government to implement immediate flood-mitigation measures.
  • The draft plan is currently under review by an expert panel from IIT, and a final report is expected to be completed within a month.
  • Minister Ashish Shelar has instructed officials to prepare the comprehensive plan in coordination with authorities like Railways, Metro, and MMRDA.

Statistics:

  • Mumbai's storm water drainage system is designed to handle only 55 mm rainfall per hour.
  • The city receives heavy rainfall averaging 16 to 20 days annually, with more than 100 mm of rain falling in an hour during some of these days.
  • The rainfall Peak in Mumbai was recorded at 182 mm/hour on May 19 this year.
  • The city's stormwater drains had a capacity of 25 mm/hour before the 2005 deluge, and this was upgraded to 55 mm/hour following the Chitale Committee's recommendations.
  • The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 5,000 crores.

Sources:

  • "Mumbai to develop master plan to handle heavy rainfall", by Mumbai: To enable Mumbai to handle rainfall crossing 100 mm per hour, the BMC will submit a master plan to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). (Contify.com)
  • Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. (Not specifically attributed)