Our disaster agencies are on high alert: BMC

As part of its monsoon preparedness plans, the disaster management cell of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is functioning round the clock. In anticipation of disaster caused by heavy rains, joint municipal commissioner SS Shinde, who is in charge of the cell, is taking all precautionary steps to keep the city safe with the help of his staff and under the guidance of senior officials. Shinde speaks to Pandurang Mhaske about the special cell.

What do you mean by a disaster management plan?
Disaster management is a process or strategy that is implemented when any catastrophic event strikes. During such calamities, government agencies that are vital to rescue operations, should be ready to tackle the disaster.

What is the role of the BMC’s disaster management cell during the rains?
During the monsoon, keep all agencies on high-alert, provide them with information about any calamities and guide them during a disaster so that rescue teams can act accordingly to help people.

What are the disasters that can occur in Mumbai, and how prepared are you to tackle them?
While flooding and building collapses are very common in urban areas, in Mumbai there are also dangers of fire and landslides. If there is heavy rain, then trains and road transport may be disrupted and commuters may get stranded. No one can avoid a disaster, but we can reduce its effects. So, our cell is more than prepared to tackle any kind of disaster.

How will you communicate with other agencies during critical situations?
The disaster management cell is connected to all BMC ward offices via hotlines; there are 14 hotlines. The cell has regular communication with the Meteorological Department in Delhi to get regular updates about the monsoon.
There is co-ordination with the city police, state reserve police force, Navy, Army and Air Force. The disaster management cell is also in touch with the National Disaster Response Force.

What about ward offices, because it has been reported that ward office staff will be on the field to save people in case of a large-scale disaster... 
Each ward will have a control room, and will have two to four employees working in shifts. Each control room will have three hotline connections, one  each to the local fire station, head disaster control room at the BMC office and the office of zonal additional commissioner of police.
The control rooms will be equipped with high frequency wireless communication systems. Each control room will have a fax machine, two television sets and internet connection.

In case of disruption of telephone lines, are there any alternate arrangements made?
We have ham operators to help in very crucial situations. Each ward has one ham operator and the head control room also has a ham radio set.

Can you assure Mumbaikars that they will not face much difficulty during this monsoon?
To ensure that Mumbaikars do not face difficulties this monsoon, pumping stations at Haji Ali and Irla have already been made operational.
Also, we will keep people updated about the dates and
timings of high tides and other details through our website. Apart from installing CCTVs at chronic spots like Milan Subway, Dadar TT and Linking Road, we will also be taking other measures.