The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Tuesday directed all agencies operating in the city to complete pre-monsoon works on priority through coordinated planning, as part of efforts to minimise flooding and disruptions during the rainy season.
According to the civic body, Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide issued the instructions at a joint review meeting held at the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai headquarters. Senior officials from multiple departments and external agencies attended the meeting.
Focus on drainage and flooding hotspots
The BMC said slow water drainage has been identified at 93 locations across the city and suburbs. Investigations into the causes are underway, while drainage channels are being cleaned regularly to prevent blockages.
To strengthen preparedness, the civic body plans to deploy 547 portable dewatering pumps in waterlogging-prone areas. Pumping stations are scheduled to become operational from May 1, while round-the-clock manpower equipped with pumps will be deployed from May 15. Mobile dewatering pump vehicles will be stationed for quick response, and real-time monitoring mechanisms, including geo-fencing and image sharing, will be implemented.
Additional pumps are being installed at key locations such as Marol, Worli, Mahalaxmi, Matunga, Bhandup, Chunabhatti and Dadar, the BMC said.
Road works to reach safe stage before monsoon
The civic body reviewed ongoing road concreting works across Mumbai, stating that Phase 1, covering 256.36 km, is over 83 per cent complete, while Phase 2, spanning 222.79 km, has crossed 60 per cent completion.
Officials have been instructed to ensure that all road works reach a safe stage before May 31. Preventive maintenance and trench filling are also to be completed within the same timeline. The BMC said contractors will be appointed at the ward level to address pothole complaints, while separate agencies will handle the Eastern and Western Express Highways.
Engineers have been assigned monsoon duties in each ward, and a mobile application has been introduced to allow citizens to report potholes.
Desilting progress and river cleaning
The BMC reported that desilting of the Mithi River has reached 27.13 per cent completion, while work on major drains stands at 38.97 per cent.
The civic body said efforts are ongoing to accelerate desilting work to ensure smooth discharge of stormwater before the monsoon intensifies.
Dangerous buildings: evacuation warnings issued
The BMC has identified 174 buildings as extremely dangerous, including 141 privately owned structures, under relevant municipal provisions.
The buildings are distributed across the city, western suburbs and eastern suburbs. Residents have been repeatedly urged to vacate these structures immediately. The civic body warned that any untoward incident involving occupants who fail to evacuate will be their responsibility.
Coordination with railways and metro authorities
The BMC highlighted the need for infrastructure improvements in coordination with Central Railway. These include strengthening drainage near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and installing submersible pumps between Sion and Kurla.
Clearance of blockages near Dadar and Matunga Road and improved drainage near Vidyavihar have also been identified as priority tasks. Measures are being planned to prevent misuse of floodgates and to enhance pumping capacity at vulnerable locations such as Chunabhatti.
For metro operations on the Aqua Line, the civic body said dewatering pump capacity is being assessed and will be increased where necessary, including near station entry and exit points.
Tree trimming and safety measures
Out of nearly 1.9 lakh roadside trees in Mumbai, more than 92,000 have been inspected so far. The BMC said 313 dead trees and 296 dangerous trees have already been removed, while trimming work has been carried out on over 26,000 trees.
The civic body aims to complete the survey of trees by May 15 and finish trimming work by June 7. Notices have also been issued to establishments where tree maintenance is pending, and emergency measures are being undertaken for hazardous trees.
Disaster preparedness: fire, floods and landslides
The Mumbai Fire Brigade has been equipped with modern vehicles and flood rescue boats as part of monsoon preparedness. Flood rescue teams with boats have been deployed, and lifeguards have been stationed at key beaches. Additional teams will be mobilised during high tides if required.
The BMC has identified 249 landslide-prone locations based on previous surveys, including several categorised as sensitive and highly sensitive. Detailed project reports have been prepared for critical sites, and preventive measures are being implemented in coordination with multiple agencies. Evacuation plans to nearby schools and construction of protective walls are also underway.
Public health measures intensified
The BMC said anti-mosquito drives, cleanliness campaigns and rodent control measures are being carried out across the city to curb monsoon-related diseases.
More than 1,500 hospital beds have been reserved for potential cases during the season. Data shared by the civic body shows that between January and March 2026, Mumbai reported 1,366 cases of malaria, 250 cases of dengue, nine cases of chikungunya, 51 cases of leptospirosis, 1,680 cases of gastroenteritis and 353 cases of hepatitis, along with 10 cases of COVID-19.
Emphasis on coordination and accountability
The BMC said timely completion of pre-monsoon works will depend on effective coordination among all departments and agencies. It added that regular monitoring, real-time reporting and public communication will be central to ensuring preparedness ahead of the monsoon.
