from daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Aug 20: While Mumbai remained amazed over the sweet water case at Mahim creek, scientists at Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) have termed the Mahim water phenomenon as "nothing unnatural".
According to NIO director Dr S R Shetye it is a common phenomenon along the coast during rains when fresh water mixes with salty water and dilutes it further.
He said that Mahim creek is fed fresh water from Mithi river, which is flooded due to rains. "We are analyzing the samples and our scientists at the regional centre in Mumbai have collected the water samples. But it is natural, it is dilution of saline water," Dr Shetye said.
He stated that the NIO is interacting with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on the issue and the institution is in constant touch with BMC. "The salinity must have decreased subsequently as there were heavy rains in Mumbai and the surrounding areas," Dr Shetye said.
Our Mumbai bureau report: