Mumbai Climate Change Scenario – Comparison with the Philippines Mangrove Case (2017)
In 2017, Mumbai experienced one of its most severe climate-related disasters when extreme monsoon rainfall caused massive urban flooding. In a single day (29 August 2017), parts of Mumbai received over 300 mm of rain, overwhelming drainage systems. Similar to coastal communities in the Philippines affected by typhoons and storm surges, Mumbai’s vulnerability is closely linked to climate change, which has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme rainfall events.
Low-lying areas such as Kurla, Sion, Dharavi, Andheri East, and the Mithi River belt faced the greatest impacts. Informal settlements and slum communities were the most affected due to poor housing, blocked drains, and loss of natural buffers like mangroves and wetlands. Daily wage workers suffered income loss, health risks, and displacement.
Local coping methods included community-led rescue efforts, temporary shelters, and reliance on local networks for food and support. Unlike the Philippines case where mangrove restoration played a key protective role, Mumbai has seen limited but growing efforts to protect mangroves.
Support came from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), disaster response teams, NGOs, and citizen groups providing relief, medical aid, and clean-up. However, the event highlighted the urgent need for ecosystem-based solutions, better urban planning, and climate-resilient infrastructure—paralleling lessons from the Philippines mangrove restoration story.