Mumbai ready to tackle monsoon flooding this time, say MMRDA and BMC
The civic bodies have claimed due precautions have been taken to avoid possible flooding from the Metro projects and that the cleaning of the culverts and nullahs will be completed by end of this month
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other state agencies responsible for infrastructure and civic amenities in the city have assured the government about their preparedness for the incoming monsoon.
Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also called on the defence forces to lend a helping hand in dire situations. “The Indian Navy, Air Force and National Disaster Response Force should deploy their manpower and logistics required for the rescue and relief operations as deployed every year,” he said.
The civic bodies have claimed due precautions have been taken to avoid possible flooding from the Metro projects and that the cleaning of the culverts and nullahs will be completed by end of this month.
The BMC, MMRDA, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the defence forces presented their plans for managing the monsoon in the presence of CM Fadnavis on Tuesday.
The BMC has identified 225 spots in Mumbai that may possibly get flooded (74 in eastern suburbs, 88 in western suburbs and 63 in the island city). Civic chief Ajoy Mehta said that they have taken due measures at 120 of those spots. He also said 95% of the total nullahs running up to 250 kms have been cleaned.
The civic body says cameras have been fixed inside culverts alongside the central and harbour railway lines to help with real-time flood management. It also said trash brooms have been attached to the nullahs to avoid trash accumulation. Water-level transmitters have also been installed at seven locations in the city, officials informed the CM.
The civic body has also deployed 36 life guards at six beaches, including the ones at Girgaum, Dadar, Aksa and Gorai to check any possible cases of drowning.
The CM also assured divisional commissioners from the rest of Maharashtra with all types of assistance for disaster management.
Health department officials said they have reserved 1,300 beds in the government hospitals for monsoon-related medical cases.
In its preliminary forecast in April, the IMD predicted a normal southwest monsoon this year, which occurs when rainfall is between 96- 104% of the 50-year average of 887 mm, with the highest expected rainfall to happen in June.
