Mumbai high tide: City to witness high sea waves till Sunday night, BMC issues advisory

File Photo. Pic/Atul Kamble

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday issued an advisory cautioning people against entering the Arabian Sea amid warnings about high tide till Sunday night, reported news agency PTI.

Mumbai high tide: sea will witness a "swell of surge waves"

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS), the sea will witness a "swell of surge waves" from 11.30 am on Saturday to 11.30 pm on Sunday, the civic body said, reported PTI.

During this time, the height of the waves will rise by 0.5 to 1.5 metres, it said.

The BMC has also asked fishermen to exercise caution.

Mumbai high tide: Civic personnel to coordinate with the police

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Bhushan Gagarin has asked civic personnel to coordinate with the police, and security guards at beaches in the city have been directed to stop people from entering the waters, reported PTI.

High tide is a predictable event influenced by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on Earth's oceans. In Mumbai, high tides occur twice a day, approximately every 12 hours and 25 minutes. The high tide brings with it a surge of water, causing the sea level to rise significantly along the city's coastline.

Mumbai high tide: City's expansive coastline

Mumbai's expansive coastline is dotted with iconic landmarks such as Marine Drive, Gateway of India, and Juhu Beach, all of which experience the effects of high tide. During peak high tides, seawater inundates low-lying areas, often leading to temporary flooding of streets and promenades. In extreme cases, particularly during monsoon season or in the event of a cyclone, high tides can cause severe coastal erosion and property damage.

For residents of Mumbai, high tide poses several challenges. The city's outdated drainage system struggles to cope with the influx of water, resulting in waterlogging and traffic congestion in low-lying areas. Additionally, informal settlements along the coastline are particularly vulnerable to flooding, highlighting issues of urban planning and infrastructure development.

To mitigate the impact of high tide, the BMC has implemented various measures, including the construction of sea walls, installation of stormwater drains, and dredging of rivers and estuaries. Additionally, awareness campaigns educate residents about the importance of proper waste disposal to prevent clogging of drainage systems.

(With inputs from PTI)