Mithi River Water Level Rises After Heavy Rain Testing BMC Desilting Claims

The water level in the Mithi River in Mumbai rose significantly on Wednesday following continuous heavy rainfall, raising concerns of potential flooding. The rise in water levels has put the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) claims of completing 83 per cent of the river's desilting work to the test. The heavy rainfall also prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Palghar, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts.

According to data released by the BMC on June 10, the civic body had completed 83 per cent of the desilting work in the 18-kilometre-long river. The BMC initially intended to remove approximately 1.32 lakh metric tonnes (MT) of silt, of which 1.12 lakh MT has been cleared so far.

The desilting project, which is being executed under a nearly Rs 28 crore tender, aims to clear silt, muck, and sediment from the riverbed to ensure the smooth flow of water and prevent flooding.

However, the operations faced delays this year compared to previous years. Typically, desilting work begins in the first week of March and concludes by May 31. This year, the deadline was pushed back due to delays in issuing work orders.

A civic official explained that after the work orders were issued, it took the contractor at least a week to mobilize machinery and manpower before actual work could commence. The desilting work has been executed over the course of two months, and officials expect the remaining work to be completed within the coming week.

If the water level in the Mithi River continues to rise, it could lead to the river overflowing and inundating surrounding areas. With the IMD's orange alert warning of moderate to intense spells of rainfall at isolated locations, authorities have urged citizens in Thane, Mumbai, and other alert-bound districts to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary travel, especially through waterlogged areas.