Keen on avoiding another 26/7, civic body has initiated a series of disaster management measures
Keen on avoiding another 26/7, civic body has initiated a series of disaster management measures
‘This time, things will be systematic’
MUMBAI: “The breakdown of the communication system was the main problem during the last year’s deluge. We have learnt the lessons and are taking corrective measures. If a similar disaster hits again, we will manage it in a systematic exercise,” says an assertive additional municipal commissioner Shrikant Singh, who is in-charge disaster management department in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
From an earlier dingy control room of 225 sq ft, the main disaster management control room in BMC headquarters at CST has now become a swanky 6,000 sq ft place with hotlines and communications lines with various departments.
To be opened in the next two days, the BMC has spent more than Rs1.2 lakh on the modernisation of the control room, which will be directly connected to ward offices in Mumbai, hospitals, fire brigade, police, traffic and the state government disaster room. Other measures are also being put in place. Authorities in coordination with traffic department are planning to use open grounds and stadiums in case of emergency for parking. For the first time, 26 rain gauge systems are placed in all wards to measure rain in specific areas.
Singh added that Kalina, Kurla and Saki Naka had been identified as critical areas, and three of the six new search-and-rescue teams of the corporation had been stationed in these places. “Low-lying areas will get 100 new pumps. We had given extra machinery to 15 ward offices which were the worst affected in last monsoons,” he said. “Everybody is scared of monsoon, but we are fully prepared for it,” Singh said.
A comprehensive database of home guards, volunteers and ex-army men has been created.
BMC Disaster control room numbers
22694727, 22694725
Hotline 108, 1916
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}