Measures to Be Taken to Save River Mithi
PROJECT (FLOOD CONTROL MEASURES ON THE BANKS OF RIVER MITHI)
Introduction (pg. 1)
The Mythic River is a river in Falsetto Island, the island of the city of Mumbai. It is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes. The river is seasonal and rises during the monsoons. The overflowing lakes also contribute to the river flow which is stopped by a dam in other times. During this season the river is a favourite with the anglers who catch large fish that have escaped from the lakes. The river originates from the overflow of Vihar Lake and also receives the overflows from the Powai Lake about 2 km later. It flows for a total of 15 km before it meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek flowing through residential and industrial complexes of Powai, Saki Naka, Kalina, Vakola, Bandra-Kurla complex, Dharavi and Mahim. The river has an average width of 5 m in the upper reaches, has been widened to 25 m in the middle reaches and up to 70 m in the lower reaches after the 26 July 2005 deluge (944 mm in 24 h on 26 July 2005).It is also less well known that the Mahim bay area, where Mithi River meets Arabian Sea is a nominated bird sanctuary where migratory birds come for nesting. This part is full of mangroves. When the river was not as polluted as it is today, it used to serve as an important storm water drain for Mumbai but as it has been used as a sewer over the years, its importance as a storm water drain has reduced and on the contrary, it poses as a hazard during high tide bringing polluted water into the city. Mithi has become synonymous with all the ills which a river is experiencing such as encroachment of flood plains, storm water drainage and disposal of untreated sewage and liquid waste. The Mithi River originates at an altitude of 246 m above sea level, in the hills located in the east of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, gathers water from the streams and spillway discharges of the Tulsi, Vihar, and Powai Lakes, and travels 17.84 kms to the Mahim bay.
Introduction (pg. 1)
The Mythic River is a river in Falsetto Island, the island of the city of Mumbai. It is a confluence of tail water discharges of Powai and Vihar lakes. The river is seasonal and rises during the monsoons. The overflowing lakes also contribute to the river flow which is stopped by a dam in other times. During this season the river is a favourite with the anglers who catch large fish that have escaped from the lakes. The river originates from the overflow of Vihar Lake and also receives the overflows from the Powai Lake about 2 km later. It flows for a total of 15 km before it meets the Arabian Sea at Mahim Creek flowing through residential and industrial complexes of Powai, Saki Naka, Kalina, Vakola, Bandra-Kurla complex, Dharavi and Mahim. The river has an average width of 5 m in the upper reaches, has been widened to 25 m in the middle reaches and up to 70 m in the lower reaches after the 26 July 2005 deluge (944 mm in 24 h on 26 July 2005).It is also less well known that the Mahim bay area, where Mithi River meets Arabian Sea is a nominated bird sanctuary where migratory birds come for nesting. This part is full of mangroves. When the river was not as polluted as it is today, it used to serve as an important storm water drain for Mumbai but as it has been used as a sewer over the years, its importance as a storm water drain has reduced and on the contrary, it poses as a hazard during high tide bringing polluted water into the city. Mithi has become synonymous with all the ills which a river is experiencing such as encroachment of flood plains, storm water drainage and disposal of untreated sewage and liquid waste. The Mithi River originates at an altitude of 246 m above sea level, in the hills located in the east of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, gathers water from the streams and spillway discharges of the Tulsi, Vihar, and Powai Lakes, and travels 17.84 kms to the Mahim bay.