In recent times it had narrowed down, and became more shallow due to the presence of the accumulation of silt, debris and plastic bags.

[5] Unregulated urbanisation has resulted in severe environmental degradation like the narrowing of riverbanks for housing at Leprosy Colony, located between Dahisar and Borivali, and Cowsheds.

Encroachments on dry areas of riverbed as well as on the banks of this river had choked and pinched the watercourse and aggravated the risk of flooding.

Ingress encroachments from the banks (building, industries, and slums) as well as modification of river-course and local diversion of streams have compounded the risk of flooding.

[1] The river flood was caused by the eighth heaviest ever recorded 24-hour rainfall figure of 994 mm (39.1 inches)[6] which lashed the city on 26 July 2005, and intermittently continued through the next day.