The city needs its wetlands, depressions where water can stay. These can be natural ponds. "Look at Thane. The city used to have 101 lakes at one point of time. Now, barely 21 survive. Most of them have been filled and structures constructed on them. And now, we are also witnessing construction of houses on saltpan lands, like in Nalasopara. If water can't flow and drain, it is sure to enter homes and damage property. Thane flooded severely last year," he adds. If you think the blame lies only at the gates of the authorities that man Mumbai's drains (BMC, MMRDA, Railways), look in the mirror. "People have created parking lots on top of drains," https://www.mid-day.com/articles/mumbai-rains-why-city-is-most-vulnerable-to-urban-flooding/19628185