Notwithstanding the advisories to the contrary issued by the Mumbai police and civic administration during the past few days, Mumbaikars descended on the various sea fronts of Mumbai — including Marine Drive, Worli Seaface, Gateway of India and beaches across the metropolis — in large numbers to witness the “biggest and tallest” high tide of this year.
During the lunch hour, thousands of people — who comprised included office-goers, college students and foreign tourists — thronged Queen’s Necklace, popular known as Marine Drive — where huge waves emanating from the Arabian Sea hit the tetrapods and water spills onto the road.There was also large turnout of people at various other seafronts in the city.
At 1327 hrs the high tide peaked to 4.95 metrs, according to the tide-table of the Mumbai Port, At 0054 hrs, a high tide of 4.45 meters was reported, followed by a low tide at 0647 hrs of 0.16 mts, high tide at 1327 hrs — of 4.95 metres and low tide at 1944 hrs of 0.91 mts.
During the past few days, Mumbai Police and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made repeated announcements of the impending highest tide of the year – and exhorted people to take precautions.
Instead of staying away from the sea fronts, Mumbaikars made it point to be in the vicinity of sea to witness the high-tide situation. Such was the enthusiasm to watch the high-tide situation that the people had turned out at the Marine Drive from far-off satellite townships like Kalyan. Dombivli, Virar and Vasai.
Meanwhile, heavy rains lashed the metropolis since Tuesday night, inundating the low-lying areas and railway tracks at several places, affecting the road traffic and suburban train services all through the day. Water logging was reported from different parts of the metropolis, where motorists had trying time negotiating their vehicles through thick sheets of water.
While many schools in the city remained closed as a precautionary measures, scores of office-goers stayed away from their work stations in the fear of getting stranded en route.