13 days

on 9th june, the united states consulate published a warning to all american citizens in mumbai to stay clear of flood zones, the sea face, streets with open manholes, and rain:

Dear American citizens: The monsoon has arrived in western India, and Mumbai is experiencing the season's storms. With these come the possibility of heavy flooding. Heavy rains and associated winds can, at times, have the same intensity as a tropical storm. The rains during monsoon are significant and, in July 2005, led to heavy loss of life. You should follow common sense precautions, avoiding low-lying areas that appear to be flooded. Also be extremely cautious when driving or walking during flood periods. To ease flooding in Mumbai, Bombay Municipal Corporation workers will open manhole covers on roads, and there may be no markers. Tree branches upright on streets sometimes serve as caution signals. In reduced visibility conditions, you could drive into one of these open manholes. You should also pay attention when walking, since sidewalks are non-existent in some areas or used for other purposes in most parts of the city. It's possible that you could inadvertently step into an open manhole.

During the monsoon, most flooding occurs during high tide. Mumbai's drainage system is designed to run off into the Arabian Sea. If a major storm occurs during high tide, the rainfall backs up and flooding occurs. Particular concern should be paid during the days listed in the table below. During these 13 days, high tide is expected to raise water levels over four meters (13 feet) and, if there is heavy rain, the possibility of the city flooding is very high. Sluice gates, which funnel floodwaters from the city to the sea, are also closed on these days, increasing the possibility of flooding if there are heavy rains. Please be alert if there are heavy rains during the afternoons.

THE 13 DANGEROUS DAYS OF MONSOON

DATE	TIME	WAVE (Height of the wave in meters)
2 July 2008	1152 hours	4.57
3 July 2008	1237 hours	4.74
4 July 2008	1325 hours	4.83
5 July 2008	1410 hours	4.84
6 July 2008	1454 hours	4.75
7 July 2008	1537 hours	4.57
1 Aug 2008	1220 hours	4.68
2 Aug 2008	1302 hours	4.8
3 Aug 2008	1341 hours	4.79
4 Aug 2008	1420 hours	4.65
30 Aug 2008	1158 hours	4.59
31 Aug 2008	1220 hours	4.66
1 Sep 2008	1307 hours	4.58

the bmc took offense at the press release, suggesting that the consulate was invoking unnecessary alarm.

on 12th june, reuters published this:
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation rejected the statement, and said it had e-mailed the U.S. consulate on Wednesday stating it had cast the city in a bad light.
Jairaj Phatak, the municipal commissioner, estimates that 10 people or fewer have died in such a manner in recent years.
Elizabeth Kauffman, a spokeswoman for the consulate, said they did not mean to hurt anyone's feelings. The consulate has since added a single sentence to its online advisory, saying open manholes are sometimes marked with tree branches.

sorry mumbai, but ive never been so alarmed to see the condition of the ground under the water. walking to churchgate knee-deep in runoff was fine. it was walking back after the water had drained that scared me. open gutters, missing pavers, uncovered manholes, rubbish that i dont really need to detail, loose planks of wood... not the best adventure for a saturday afternoon.