Monsoons Soak Mumbai, India

Monsoons Soak Mumbai, India
Heavy rains flood India's largest city and kill at least 1,000 people
Every year, heavy rains called monsoons hit parts of India. This year, the monsoons were the worst ever recorded. Last week, Mumbai, India뭩 largest city, was drenched in 37 inches of rain in 24 hours. That뭩 the most rain that has ever fallen in one day in India.
Officials say at least 1,000 people died in western India because of the flooding. On Monday, officials warned of more flooding and advised people to stay inside.
Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is India뭩 center of business and entertainment. The city of about 7 million is in the western India state of Maharashtra.
The Damage
Since the rain began one week ago, people have been knee-deep in water. In some areas, water levels are up to 7 feet high. The flooding has left many of Mumbai뭩 residents without water or electricity. Many are worried about the threat of disease because of the number of animals that have drowned. This has contaminated the water.
The heavy rains also caused massive landslides south of Mumbai, which killed several hundred people.
Cleaning Up
Critics say the government has been slow to cleanup the devastated city. They are demanding that the government do something immediately. About 130,000 city workers have been working to unclog drains and restore electricity and safe drinking water.
"The drains are choked. We still have no electricity," said Hafeez Irani, a construction worker.
Leaders asked that residents be patient while more equipment and aid arrives to help clean up the area. On Thursday, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh visited Mumbai. He said the government would spend millions of dollars to help its people recover and rebuild.
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