The Bombay High Court has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take immediate remedial measures following severe waterlogging at the civic-run KEM Hospital during heavy rains on May 26.
The court expressed serious concern over the incident, highlighting the deteriorating infrastructure of one of India’s premier medical institutions. A vacation bench comprising Justices Gauri Godse and Somasekhar Sundaresan issued a notice to the BMC, mandating an urgent inspection of the hospital premises and submission of a comprehensive report detailing corrective actions. The court emphasized the necessity for basic hygiene and cleanliness in healthcare facilities, stating, “A hospital can’t be flooded like this.”
The issue was brought to the court’s attention through media reports and photographs showing patients, including children, sitting in ankle-deep water inside the hospital’s pediatric department. Advocate Mohit Khanna, appointed as amicus curiae in a related public interest litigation, submitted these reports, noting that water had also entered critical areas such as MRI rooms. The court recalled the hospital’s esteemed past, noting that KEM Hospital was once considered among the top medical institutions in India, attracting patients nationwide. The judges expressed dismay over the current state of the hospital, urging immediate action to restore its infrastructure and reputation.
The flooding at KEM Hospital is part of a broader issue of inadequate monsoon preparedness in Mumbai. The city experienced an unprecedented early onset of the southwest monsoon, with the India Meteorological Department reporting the earliest arrival since 1950. Heavy rains led to waterlogging in several areas, including the compounds of the Bombay High Court and the Mantralaya, disrupting operations and prompting emergency responses. In response to the widespread waterlogging, the BMC imposed penalties of ₹10 lakh each on operators of four mini pumping stations for failing to manage water accumulation effectively. These stations, located in flood-prone areas, were found to be non-operational during the heavy rainfall, exacerbating the city’s flooding issues.
The High Court has scheduled the next hearing for June 16, directing the state health department and the BMC to file affidavits detailing the steps taken to prevent such incidents in the future. The court’s intervention underscores the urgent need for robust infrastructure and effective disaster management strategies to safeguard public health and safety during the monsoon season.
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