This time, BMC hopes to do a rain check

Having learnt its lesson the hard way after the deluge last year, the BMC will install automatic flood warning rain gauge systems at 30 key locations in all wards by June 10.

The civic body, which has already tested the system at 25 flood-prone spots, estimates that the core components of the system will cost Rs70 lakh.Vilas Vaidya, in-charge of the BMC’s disaster control room, said the system will be provided by a Delhi-based company, Info Electronic System (India) Private Limited. Experts believe the flood-warning system will be more accurate and dependable than the one which the Regional Meteorological Office in Colaba uses.

Vihar Lake, Santa Cruz, Colaba, Mithi River, Powai Lake, Milan subway, King’s Circle and Dahisar are some of the areas where it will be installed, Vaidya said.

It will consist of an electronic rain gauge rigged to send alarm signals to a central control room in the event of a rise in the water level. If the alarm bells ring, the control room will send out flood warnings to public transport undertakings such as the railways and BEST.

Citizens would be warned half-an-hour before a flood such as the one on 26/7 occurs, bmc estimates. Most sites are likely be in the suburbs where most of the flooding occurred last year. “We will inform the Met office about our findings and work in collaboration,” said Additional Commissioner Shrikant Singh.