BMC: Prepared For The Upcoming Rains As All Pre-Monsoon Works Completed

According to the latest reports, on Thursday, June 2, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that it is prepared for the rains since all the pre-monsoon works entailing desilting and tree-trimming have been finished. 

Based on accounts, the Maharashtra government has cautioned against extreme rains because of climate conditions. Owing to this, the BMC highlighted that National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, army and navy teams will be stationed in Mumbai for relief and rescue operations.

It has been reported that for the first time in the city, five army personnel columns comprising nearly 100 personnel each will be on standby. In addition to this, 206 fire officers and personnel have been stationed in fire stations in low-lying areas which are flood-prone. 

Narratives suggest that a meeting was conducted on Thursday regarding the city's monsoon preparedness. The meeting was attended by ward officials, members of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), army and navy at the civic body's headquarters. 

During this meeting, P Velrasu, additional municipal commissioner elaborated on how five NDRF teams have been stationed in the city, with three in Andheri and two at the ward level. These teams will reportedly be equipped with search-and-rescue equipment, flood rescue and collapsed structures, reports mentioned. 

Moreover, two additional NDRF teams will be placed in wards: L (Kurla, Chunabhatti), N (Ghatkopar, Vidyavihar) and S (Vikhroli, Bhandup) since they are believed to be landslide-prone areas. Additionally, the civic body is also curating awareness amongst the citizens regarding the dangers of residing in landslide-prone areas, accounts cited.

P Velrasu was quoted in narratives elucidating that IMD officials have signalled towards the possible arrival of monsoon in Mumbai in a week. He then went on to declare that 100 per cent of all the pre-monsoon works with all drain desilting being completed.

He reportedly added that from the over 100 flooding sites in Mumbai, so far they have addressed 30. According to him, however, the issue the city faces is that many areas are under sea level. He claims that while the BMC can handle 60-70 mm of rainfall if there is extreme rain of over 200mm, problems may arise. 

Following this statement, he brought to light that the civic body has placed 477 dewatering pumps throughout Mumbai to drain excess rainwater. The civic authority added that while it is completely prepared for the monsoon season, it will, in the days to come take a periodic review of the situation.