As Mumbai gears up for the impending monsoon season, the city authorities are on high alert with the forecast indicating the occurrence of 22 high tide days in the Arabian Sea over the course of the four-month rainy period.
The data, sourced from the Disaster Management Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), reveals a slight decrease from the 25 high tide days witnessed during the previous year’s monsoon. According to BMC statistics, the high tide days are distributed across the monsoon months, with June experiencing seven, followed by four days in July, and five each in August and September. Notably, the highest tide of 4.84 metres is anticipated on September 20th at 1:00 pm, highlighting the potential intensity of coastal inundation during this period. The looming threat of flooding looms large, particularly in low-lying areas of the city, should heavy rainfall coincide with high tides. Despite ongoing efforts to clear drains and enhance drainage infrastructure, the convergence of adverse weather conditions poses significant challenges for flood mitigation efforts.
Reflecting on historical trends, Mumbai witnessed 18 high tide days in 2021, followed by 22 days in 2022, and an increase to 25 days in the preceding year. The highest tide recorded in 2023 peaked at 4.87 metres on August 3rd and 4th, further underscoring the vulnerability of coastal areas to extreme tidal events. A detailed breakdown of the scheduled high tide days reveals specific timings and tide heights, offering valuable insights for preparedness and response measures. Civic authorities are urged to remain vigilant and implement pre-emptive measures to mitigate the impact of potential flooding, particularly in vulnerable coastal regions.
As Mumbai braces for the monsoon onslaught, proactive planning, community engagement, and robust infrastructure investments emerge as imperative components of resilience-building efforts. By leveraging data-driven insights and fostering collaborative partnerships, the city aims to navigate the monsoon season with resilience, ensuring the safety and well-being of its residents amidst the challenges posed by high tides and inclement weather. During the monsoon season, Mumbai is expected to encounter high tide days on various dates from June to September. In June, high tides are forecasted for the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, with peak heights ranging from 4.51 to 4.69 metres. Similarly, July will see high tides on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, reaching heights between 4.59 and 4.72 metres. In August, high tide events are scheduled for the 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, with heights ranging from 4.51 to 4.81 metres. Lastly, September’s high tides are projected for the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd, peaking between 4.50 and 4.84 metres.
