Bollywood celebs on ways to tackle the monsoon

Bollywood celebrities react to the crisis situation that brought Mumbai to a standstill over the weekend...

Mumbai and monsoon are often mentioned in the same breath. While the city waits to soak in the refreshing rain and associates it with romance and endless walks by the sea, the season also brings along waterlogged roads, traffic jams and cancelled trains with it.

Last week, the heavy downpour brought the city to a grinding halt resulting in people questioning the BMC arrangements yet again. hitlist spoke to a few celebrities about the ways to tackle the monsoon and their take on the BMC's role and whether it's fair to blame them entirely.

Aditi Rao Hydari

Mumbai is really an epic infrastructure failure. The only reason it functions is because of the resilience, courage and the positive attitude of the people who live here. I shot the entire day with a full crew on a day when every road was water logged, cars and busses had broken down, the trains had stopped, people were wading through water, the city was on high alert for floods and no one knew how they'd get home but every single person on set worked to their optimum. It leaves me with so much respect for the people of this city. But the corrupt bodies who run this city should be ashamed.

Sushant Singh Rajput

Well yes, the contractors and elected representatives have to get their act together and they should be held responsible for the city's predicament. An effective, solid waste management and banning plastic will go a long way in keeping the city extremely clean and would be instrumental in improving the situation. And whats happening to BRIMSTOWAD? (Brihanmumbai Stormwater Disposal System) High time somebody answers the question and give an already choking city some respite.

Nikhil Advani

It is very easy to blame the BMC but the onus doesn't lie on them. I find it funny that politicians who were a part of a particular party and blamed the opposition for lack of planning during monsoon have now shifted sides and shouting slogans against the party they were earlier part of. The problem arises because no thought has been put in planning the city well. The BMC needs to bring in people who know what planning a city means and must listen to them. I live in Pali Hill and drive to work but what about the 15 billion people who are homeless? The people who are talking about the floods this year are the same people who were planning to do something about the situation during the 2005 floods. I think we as citizens and you as the media should also stop giving importance to these people. Climate change will take its course. We really have to sit down, get those people on board who understand infrastructure and planning and listen to them.

Sona Mohapatra

There is a huge gap between demand and supply of water in the city of Mumbai and this gap is only set to rise. It's ironical how on one hand, certain regions of Maharashtra are drowning in water while some parts are facing drought. A water management system is critical and of top priority now. The authorities need to not only implement compulsory rainwater harvesting in every building in Mumbai but also make the citizens aware of its benefits so that they get involved. The young Aditya Thackeray could focus on this essential aspect and make Mumbai a case study for the world. I feel that with the right systems in place, facilitated by the government and the BMC and backed by the citizens, 70 per cent of rainwater can be collected and used during dry months. Let's get IIT Mumbai involved too. We have some of the brightest minds there. Let's get going, Mumbai!

Sajid Khan

I don't think BMC is completely at fault. The infrastructure of the city which is meant for a population of one crore is squeezing in three crore people. The BMC keeps trying but to no avail. As citizens we have two choices - To stay at home or drown outside!

Richa Chadda

The drainage system in Mumbai is overloaded and ancient. What we need is an effective waste disposal system so that plastic doesn't clog drains. Also, rainwater harvesting is a good way to benefit from the season.

Tweet talk
Farhan Akhtar

@FarOutAkhtar: I think the Mumbaikar tax-payers money is used to block the city's drainage system. #everyyearsamestory"

Sonakshi Sinha

@sonakshisinha: Had to pack up #Akira shoot coz of the crazy downpour. Made no difference whatsoever coz it took 3.5 hrs to get home anyway #MumbaiRains

Amitabh Bachchan

@SrBachchan: Incessant rain, but people enjoying in numbers .. saw authorities working tirelessly at flooded areas !! Rains pour in .. about 15 days estimated rain in 1 day !! Any city in the developed world would have a problem handling it !!

Juhi Chawla