Mumbai, July 24 - Sea water gushed onto roads near the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Juhu and Worli among other places Friday as India's financial capital was lashed by tidal waves 5.5 metres high, billed as the highest in 100 years.

There were no reports of casualties during the high tide brought about by a combination of the monsoon and the strong gravitational pull of the moon two days after new moon and the solar eclipse Wednesday.

City authorities had issued advance warnings to people and evacuated thousands of residents from low-lying areas.

While the evacuation of people from coastal areas began Wednesday, over 4,000 people were shifted to safer locations in view of the high tide Friday itself, an official announcement said in the evening.

The residents returned home only after the sea water started receding by 6 p.m.

Huge waves crashed onto the retaining walls at Nariman Point, Colaba, Cuffe Parade, Marine Drive, Haji Ali, Worli Seaface, Bandra Bandstand, Juhu, Versova, Marve, Gorai, Bhandup and Vikhroli.

Water surged over roads near Prabhadevi, Worli, Juhu, Bandra and Santacruz apart from the one near the Gateway of India just outside the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel.