Clogged drains flooded most areas in Navi Mumbai

Sixteen spots in Navi Mumbai were waterlogged during rain on Friday and Saturday. Low-lying areas and clogged drains led to the flooding.

The busy APMC market at Vashi was the worst-hit.

Traders and residents had to grapple with knee-deep water on Friday night when the rain started. However, the situation was normal by Saturday morning. Residential areas were flooded during heavy rainfall on Saturday morning.

According to the disaster management cell of Navi Mumbai, areas such as Ishwar Nagar, Ram Nagar and Hilton Pada at Digha, Sector 28 at Vashi, parts of Rabale were waterlogged in the morning.

Four spots at Turbhe were submerged in rainwater. The area behind Durga Mata temple, near Anjuman School, and the one behind A2 type building were flooded.

Commuters struggled during rains and storm at Shivaji Chowk Vashi in Navi Mumbai on Saturday (Bachchan Kumar/HT PHOTO)

“Digha is a low-lying area and every year it sees flooding. Nothing much can be done to solve this,” said an official from the disaster management cell. “However, clogged drains led to waterlogging at Vashi, Turbhe and APMC market. It is not clear how garbage entered drains which were cleaned,” he said.

Tushar Pawar, deputy commissioner of NMMC, said, “All drains were cleaned before monsoon. Rain water might have carried the garbage and plastic with it, leading to clogged drains.”

“We have arranged for water pumps and JCBs to tackle waterlogging,” he said.

The city received an average of 153.85mm rain between 1.30am and 6.30pm. The city recorded 32 tree fall incidents since Friday night. Some vehicles and small houses were damaged.

Waterlogging at Shivaji Chowk Vashi in Navi Mumbai on Saturday (Hindustan Times)

With 18 tree falling cases, Vashi has lost the highest number of trees. It is followed by Airoli (7), Nerul (4) and Belapur (3).

The civic body is sending bulk text messages to residents informing them about the rain prediction this weekend. They have put banners asking people not to leave homes unless it is urgent.