City’s sinking, feel experts

The high tide level has increased 30 cm in the past three years

The high tide level off Mumbai is increasing by 10 cm every year, over the the past three years.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has commissioned a study by experts, who feel it is an indication that the city is sinking. They have warned BMC, which is studying this phenomenon and making graphs of the  sea level as well as the high tide level.

The BMC had recorded some figures over the last two years and the figures show that the average sea level is going up. The BMC is now collating more data.

In 2006, the highest sea level at high tide was increased by 4.52 m and in 2007 it was 4.62 m and this year the level is expected to be 4.82 m. It indicates that the sea level is rising.

It may also be the cause of constant water-logging in the city. Even civic officials confirmed that due to the trend, BMC could not open sluices, and it takes more time for water to recede.

Chief engineer, storm water drains (SWD), SS Korlekar confirmed that the sea level was rising and BMC was keeping a close watch.

After a detailed study, BMC would prepare a detailed report, aiming to tackle the threat of high tide. A senior official from the SWD department said even the height of the waves were increasing.

“We are checking it, and finding the causes for it,” he said.
Marine biologist Vishnu Kanhere said, “The sea level is actually rising due to global warming, but the 30-cm rise over the past three years could not be is not due to this. This is a very rapid rise. In Mumbai, the seashores have been reclaimed. Mumbai itself is a reclaimed area comprising seven islands. If the high tide level continues to rise at this rate it is time to seriously think of how to save Mumbai. Even the seashore has eroded and there are few beaches remaining.

“If the trend continues, the low-lying areas of Mumbai will be affected. The base of the buildings in low-lying areas will be damaged,” Kanhere added.

He further said, “Due to  global warming, we are facing extremely hot summer, bitter winter, and unusually high rainfall during the monsoon.”

Associate professor in IIT-Bombay, Ravi Sinha, said, ”The sea level is increasing globally. It is already known that by 2050 the sea level will rise by 80 cm all over the world due to global warming. But in the case of Mumbai, I am not sure of the magnitude of the problem. Often, such rise in sea level may have some local reasons. I do not have evidence that sea level around Mumbai is rising, but if it is true then it is a serious threat to the entire city. It will definitely affect low-lying areas.”
m_pandurang@dnaindia.net