Mumbai, Aug 19: Thousands of people thronged the
Mahim beach here after reports that the waters of the Arabian
Sea had miraculously turned sweet, but the authorities said it
was not an unusual phenomenon and warned the water was
dangerous to drink.
Reports of a similar phenomenon also came in from
Gujarat's Valsad district, and officials explained the
salinity of the sea water may have been reduced due to the
inflow of fresh water from swollen rivers and an upsurge of
groundwater after the heavy rains of the past few days.
Despite the official explanations, people were seen
collecting the murky water in bottles and plastic bags to
take it home. Children and women drank the water on the beach,
claiming the phenomenon was a miracle.
Police said fishermen had last night first noticed
that sea water in the area had become sweet, and the reports
spread after they told local residents about it.
The phenomenon was initially noticed in the vicinity
of the Dargah of Baba Maqdoom, located on the Mahim Creek,
giving rise to people's claims that the water was "holy".
Today's scenes brought back memories of reports in September
1995 about Lord Ganesh's statues drinking milk and the frenzy
associated with it.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh appealed to people
not to drink the water as it could contain "dangerous
substances".
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said the
phenomenon was not unusual and also cautioned people that it
would be dangerous to drink the water.
BMC Commissioner Johnny Joseph told reporters, "we
have taken samples of the water from various spots in the city
including the Mahim Dargah. We have also taken an opinion from
the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa and they have
told us that this phenomena is not unusual. This can be caused
by heavy rainfall and low tide.
"The Mahim Creek is located in a semi-enclosed area
where fresh water and sea water mix especially during low
tide, which caused the dilution. Also the Vihar Lake on the
outskirts of Mumbai has been overflowing for the past few days
and has flown into the Mithi river, which could be the reason
for the water tasting sweet."
Tests conducted by BMC's Health Department showed salt
level in the sea water was as low as 600 particles per
million, compared to the normal level of 10,000 ppm.
The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board said the
phenomenon could have been caused by an upsurge of
groundwater. "Due to heavy rainfall in the area, the
groundwater gets fully charged and may exert excess pressure.
This can cause fine cracks in the rocky bottom through which
groundwater tends to come out," said MPCB member secretary
Dilip Boralkar.
Reports about sea water turning sweet also came in
from the coastal area of Teethal in Gujarat's Valsad district,
where numerous people considered the phenomenon a miracle and
worshipped the water.
"The Arabian Sea water has turned a bit sweeter.
Samples have been taken and sent to laboratories in Pune for
testing," Valsad District Development officer Indrish Vora,
who tasted the "sweet" water, said.
Do not drink 'sweet' seawater: R R Patil
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister R
R Patil asked people not to drink sea water at the Mahim
Creek that had reportedly turned sweet.
"Experts say the percentage of nitrate and chlorine in
sea water is much higher and as such harmful to health if one
drinks it," Patil said.
Bureau Report