US consulate tones down monsoon warning this year

After getting a strong reaction from the BMC for its monsoon warning last year, the US consulate has been very particular this time.

In last year's message, the consulate had talked about flooded streets that could cause drowning, potholes that could break backs and open manholes that could swallow one up.

Reading this, Mayor Shubha Raul had sent a letter to the consulate saying that Mumbai wasn't unsafe in the monsoon and that the BMC was prepared.
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"This year we have been extra careful, since last year's message got a strong feedback from the people and the press," said a source from the consulate.

While the consulate had warned its citizens about how the BMC would open drain holes to ease flooding, but wouldn't place warning markers around them, this year's message seems to be in tune with the BMC.
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It says that Mumbai's drainage system is designed to run into the Arabian Sea and only if a major storm occurs during high tide, flooding occurs.
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"The intent of both the messages is the same. We have to inform our people about the ground realities and the weather since most of them are not used to the conditions here during monsoon," said an official from the consulate.

It has listed five days (see box) when the possibility of a high tide coinciding with heavy rains and flooding the city is very high.

"The message is for Americans, so that they are not caught unawares," said Christine Dal Bello, media officer, American consulate.