Mumbai To See High Sea Waves Until Sunday Night, BMC Issues Advisory

In several low-lying areas, residents have been asked to relocate for 36 hours. Municipal schools and community halls have been converted into temporary accommodation.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issued an advisory on Saturday, appealing to people not to enter the Arabian Sea due to high sea waves. According o the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information (INCOIS), the sea will see a "swell of surge waves" from Saturday 11.30 am to Sunday 11.30 pm, the civic body said, as quoted in a PTI report.

The height of the waves will rise to 0.5-1.5 metres during this time, it added. 

The INCOIS said in its bulletin, “It is forecast that sea will be dominated by high-energy swell waves in the nearshore region and the low-lying areas may experience surges (gushing of sea water into these nearshore/beach areas) intermittently during 17.30 hours (IST) of 04-05-2024 to 23.30 hours (IST) of 05-05-2024 due to the combined effect of high period (16-22 sec) swell waves, having 0.5 - 1.5 m height, especially during high tides and Spring Tide phases.”

Small vessels are allowed to ply nearshore with caution. Meanwhile, it was advised that boats be anchored at a fair distance from each other to avoid collision and damage. 

“Fishermen and coastal population are alerted to be cautious on possible surging of waves (gushing of sea water) intermittently in the nearshore/beach region, partiularly in the low-lying areas and during high tide/spring tide phases. Small vessels may ply nearshore with due caution. Boats may be anchored at a fair distance from each other, to avoid collision and damage. Operational/recreational activities at beach/nearshore, with due care.”

BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagarin asked civic personnel to coordinate with the police, and security guards at beaches in the city have been directed to stop people from entering the waters, reported PTI.

According to The Indian Express, lifeguards and marshals have been deployed in multiple locations near the seafront for this purpose.

A civic official told the news outlet that, in several low-lying areas, residents were asked to relocate for 36 hours. Temporary accommodation has been arranged in municipal schools and community halls for people living in such areas.