Monsoon elusive, Mumbai flooded by tidal waves!

As Mumbaikars trained their eyes on the skies for the elusive monsoon, sudden tidal waves Thursday inundated several parts of the city and coastal Maharashtra, catching people and the authorities by surprise.

Tidal waves measuring up to 4.37 metres high lashed Mumbai shores and coastal Maharashtra districts of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg around Thursday noon.

Virtually caught napping, the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) belatedly issued a warning Thursday evening that the city would have to brace for similar huge tidal waves for the next one week.

The MCGM, in its alert, said Mumbai's coastal areas would be struck by 4.5 metres high tidal waves till June 18.

The MCGM warned against venturing into the Arabian Sea for the next one week. Several big and small fishing vessels in ports across Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg sustained damages as the tidal waves lashed the coastal Konkan region. But there were no casualties.

The waves Thursday spilled over onto the low-lying roads, residential areas and playgrounds, dotting several parts of Mumbai including Colaba, Nariman Point, Girgaum Chowpatty, Worli, Shivaji Park and Mahim while massive waves lashed the beaches at Juhu, Versova and Gorai, officials said.

Scores of vehicles in south Mumbai were trapped in the waters while panicky pedestrians made a beeline to safety.