Like clockwork, Mumbai, the maximum city has once again managed to get into a fight with the rain gods, and like always, they seem to have an upper hand.
While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is busy suing "defamers" like RJ Mallishka — who actually just spoke facts about the absent infrastructure in the economic capital of India — the city continues to grind to a halt come torrential rains. In fact, on August 29, the rains reached their peak.
According to reports, Mumbai recorded more than 125mm or 5inches of rain till the afternoon, which is about ten times more than the yearly average. The meteorological office has predicted very heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours.
Because of the incessant rains, low-lying areas in the city have massively flooded and the water-logging is only expected to worsen.
Stuck in central Mumbai? Contact Manpreet Singh 093-235-67555 . Gurudwaras offering food and shelter.. #MumbaiRains
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 29, 2017
If you are still at work, don't panic and leave. A little delay & planned travel may help you better #CheckRoutes #MumbaiRains
— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) August 29, 2017
The next time they tell you that they wil replant the mangroves elsewhere, remember that it causes floods like this. #MumbaiRains
— naresh fernandes (@tajmahalfoxtrot) August 29, 2017
#MumbaiRains Emergency Number - 1916 pic.twitter.com/31vvSBCfHd
— NDMA India (@ndmaindia) August 29, 2017
Flights have been cancelled, public transport has been hit and people have been advised by the BMC not to venture outside their homes. But what about those who are already stuck?
For the many unlucky citizens stuck in this weather, the spirit of Mumbai comes to rescue.
Mumbaikars, under the hashtag “Rain Hosts”, have been tweeting their locations and addresses, and inviting the ones who are stranded outside to their homes for warmth, electricity, tea, food et cetera.
anyone stranded in powai is welcome to crash at my place, DMs open #rainhosts #mumbairains
— amrtsh (@floydimus) August 29, 2017
If stranded around the highway near Santa cruz east/Kalina/Vakola please get in touch. I have lots of milk for chai. #RainHosts #MumbaiRains
— Yooti (@yootifool) August 29, 2017
Anyone stuck in Sher-e-Punjab, Andheri East is welcome to come over. Tweet to me if required. #MumbaiRains #rainhosts
— Stargaryen (@PWNeha) August 29, 2017
#RainHosts Anyone stuck on WE Highway (Malad/Kandivali/Borivali), will be happy to host in Thakur Complex. Ping me here. #MumbaiRains
— वरुण (@varungrover) August 29, 2017
If anyone is stuck in or around Malad West, they can come over to my place. DMs open #rainhosts #mumbairains
— dorku (@Dorkstar) August 29, 2017
Anyone near Juhu, Andheri(W) needs help, please feel free to contact me. Our doors are open for the stranded. #MumbaiRains #RainHosts
— Sagar Pathak (@sagarpathak91) August 29, 2017
One Twitter user even went the extra mile and compiled all “Rain Hosts” invitations into a spreadsheet for people to access at ease.
Hello people, here's a spreadsheet with tweets containing #rainhosts share it with people who're stuck. https://t.co/DdlhprAY30
— Mehul Ved (@mehulved) August 29, 2017
It's a cliché, but it's true. Say what one may about the city, the spirit of Mumbai is greater than it's terrible drainage, bad municipal corporations and narrow roads.
The spirit of Mumbai is in the people who survive that city day after day. And they are always there to help.
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