Anant Chaturdashi 2022: BMC not to allow devotees into sea for visarjan after IMD predicts thunderstorms

With the weather bureau predicting thunderstorms on Friday, the BMC has decided not to allow devotees into the sea for visarjan. Lifeguards on the beaches will immerse the household and small idols on the citizens' behalf, said officials. For the sarvajanik mandals, the BMC will decide the situation at the time, they added.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rain with wind gusts on Friday. "The IMD has predicted a thunderstorm accompanied by gusts of wind up to 30-40 kmph at isolated places. The wind gusts are likely to cause high waves. We are closely monitoring the weather report," said a BMC official.

"The BMC will deploy 786 lifeguards on the beaches and lakes. They will immerse household and small idols for the devotees," said Additional Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide.

Arrangements have been made at Girgaum Chowpatty for the last visarjan day. Pic/Ashish Raje

"For the big idols of sarvajanik mandals, we will decide on the time. We have German rafts for smooth immersion. We will deploy 45 motor boats and 39 German rafts," Bhide added.

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Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park, Juhu, Aksa, Versova and Marve seashores are major immersion spots. "We will ensure nobody enters the sea and the lakes. We have sufficient security guards as well as the police force for monitoring," the BMC official said.

For the citizens' convenience, the BMC has opened online appointments for visarjan. "The citizens can book a time slot for immersion, and they will be given priority," the official added.

Besides, the devotees can choose to immerse their idols in 152 artificial ponds.

Meanwhile, police will be deployed on 13 dangerous bridges, to ensure that visarjan parties do not halt during the procession, Bhide said.

Last year, three youths reportedly drowned during visarjan in Versova.