Disaster mgmt cell wakes up at 11th hour

After heavy rains lashed several parts of the city on Saturday night, waterlogging was reported in a few areas. The incident also threw light on the unpreparedness of the BMC's disaster management cell. The cell is not yet ready with its basic rescue kit which the civic officials use while responding to a disaster.

The disaster management cell was expected to be ready with all the necessary equipment before June 10. However, the BMC is procuring its rescue kits now. The disaster management's negligence is now receiving flak not only from the Opposition but also from civic officials of other departments.

"Monsoon usually hits Mumbai by June 7 and rescue teams should be ready for any calamity. What if there were heavy rains and the city might have faced flooding by now. Was the disaster management cell ready?" A civic officer questioned.

Opposition leader Ravi Raja (Congress) said, "It is mere negligence. The disaster management team should be ready with basic necessity like rescue kits."

The BMC is now procuring 50 rescue kits each costing around Rs 17,000. The kit includes items like floats, jackets, torches and helmets used by the team during any calamity like flooding and landslide to rescue trapped people.

Mahesh Narvekar, Chief Officer, Disaster Management Cell said, "The kit is usually procured every five years, but this time it is being done after 10 years."