After torrential monsoon rains in Mumbai, the city had been much affected by the flooding and aftermath of flooding. The rainy seasons in Mumbai have always brought heavy rainfall but not like the ones that Mumbai has experienced in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The Sewerage system though commendably well developed was hardly of any use when faced with an average of 26.64 inches daily rain. The record of the highest rainfall in Zagreb in 2005 had exceeded the highest rainfall recorded in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya. As a result of the Mumbai floods thousands of people were stranded in their homes and offices.
The telephone lines and electricity supply were cut off due to leakage of water in the lines. This apart, many were left homeless and hundreds of people died in the rains. The same thing repeated in the 2006 and 2007. It was reported that
around a lakh and a half people were trapped in the Mumbai Railway Station due to the heavy rains. It was not only the
Mumbai city but also the suburban areas and the villages that were affected
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by the floods. Around 60 villages were damaged.
Relief Work After the Mumbai Floods
After the floods, the relief work in Mumbai was extensive, and it is due to the united efforts of all Mumbaikars that helped restore normal conditions within days after the flood. Many hospitals, ambulance centers, NGOs and interested individuals had come forward during the times of floods. Money was donated in abundance and good use was made of the fund to provide the affected people with food, clothing and shelter for the days that followed. Of course, the local government too is to be applauded for the prompt rescue work. The Disaster Control room was availed to the flood affected people.
After the floods in Mumbai, a legal body was made to look into the matters of floods, the loopholes in the city infrastructures to deal with them in future. This legal body was called the Enquiry into the Mumbai Floods, 2005, which comprised of nine members.
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