Mumbai Rain: After 18 Years, July 26 Floods Continue to Haunt with Monsoon Devastation

18 YEARS OF JULY 26, 2005 MUMBAI FLOODS: The floods that occurred on July 26, 2005, remain etched in the memory of Mumbaikars as one of the darkest days in the city’s history. It was a catastrophic disaster caused by heavy rainfall that brought Mumbai to its knees.

THE RAINFALL

The rainfall started off slowly but soon turned into a relentless downpour. Within 24 hours, Mumbai received a staggering 37 inches of rain, with 26 inches pouring down in just four hours. This amount of rainfall surpassed even the annual rainfall of famous places like Cherapunji, known for its record-breaking rainfall.

The catastrophe was caused by one of the heaviest 24-hour rainfall events on record, with a total of 944 mm (37.17 inches) of rain inundating the city. The rainwater mixed with sewage, contaminating the water supply. To ensure safe drinking water, the government instructed housing societies to add chlorine to their water tanks.

THE DEATHS

The city’s infrastructure was overwhelmed by the floods. Low-lying roads and residences were submerged, resulting in over 1000 tragic deaths and extensive damage to homes. Countless people were stranded, desperately seeking transportation amidst the chaos. The sight of thousands of animal corpses floating in the floodwaters added to the fear of a potential pandemic.

TRANSPORTATION DISRUPTION

Mumbai’s transportation network, which is the lifeline of the city, was severely affected. The floodwaters destroyed thousands of auto rickshaws, taxis, and buses, while trucks and tempos were forced off the road. Local trains, the main mode of daily commute, also came to a halt due to water-logged tracks.

ECONOMIC LOSSES

The floods caused extensive damage to property, infrastructure, and businesses, resulting in billions of dollars in economic losses.

THE CAUSES OF HEAVY RAINFALL IN MUMBAI

Experts explained that the weather conditions leading to the calamity were not unexpected during the monsoon season. The convergence of a low-pressure region over the north Bay of Bengal and winds from the Arabian Sea posed a significant threat.

According to Prof. Sridhar Balasubramanian from IIT Bombay’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, the westerly winds caused by the low-pressure region create an off-shore trough along the west coast, leading to the formation of rain-bearing clouds. This weather pattern is responsible for most heavy rain spells in Mumbai.

In the days leading up to July 26, 2005, a well-defined low-pressure area carrying moisture from the Arabian Sea intensified, resulting in dense clouds and heavy rainfall for several hours.