Monsoon preparedness: Mumbai civic body launches hotline for consulates

Officials from 13 consulates met civic officials recently, asked BMC to explain the Standard Operating Procedure they have to follow in case of natural calamity

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a separate phone number for consulates across the city during emergencies. The decision for a separate hotline was taken after 26 representatives from 13 consulates met Mumbai’s disaster management team of the BMC last month to discuss monsoon preparedness.

Local trains stranded at Byculla station after train services on all three lines came to a halt on August 29, 2017. (Pratik Chorge / HT File Photo)

The civic body has also created a WhatsApp group to deliver regular updates. The WhatsApp group is expected to provide updates on traffic diversions, rainfall, and routes to avoid, among other things.

Ahead of the monsoon, and in the backdrop of the deluge last year on August 29 that brought Mumbai to a halt, consulates had sent a letter to Mumbai civic chief, Ajoy Mehta, inquiring about the city’s disaster management plan. At the meeting, they had asked the BMC to explain the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that they have to follow in case of a natural calamity, and requested that the civic body set up a communication system to send them updates at regular intervals.

“Consulates had raised the matter of broadcasting alerts to those working with them at the meeting. So we decided to set up a separate phone number and WhatsApp group.

The BMC usually sends outs bulk messages/alerts to Mumbaiites about water-logging, floods and traffic during monsoons. There is also a toll-free disaster helpline that Mumbai citizens can call on for issues related to flooding and other calamities.

“We send out bulk messages during disasters, including routes to avoid and rainfall updates. But international mobile numbers are not part of the bulk messages. So, tourists and visitors from other countries will not receive these alerts,” an official from the BMC’s disaster management unit said, requesting anonymity.