Urban News

Nine Navy teams of 20 members, three NDRF teams of 45, and six Fire Brigade teams will be deployed at the city’s flood-prone areas, seafronts and beaches through the monsoon season. They will have modern flood rescue equipment and will be trained in rescue operations, said chief disaster management officer Mahesh Narvekar.

“The Navy has also agreed to deploy six specialised divers whose services can be very crucial if unfortunately we see a repeat of the deluge of July 26, 2005. They will be deployed on all high-tide days when the tide is higher than 4.5 metres,” said Narvekar.

Areas where the teams will be deployed include Colaba, Ghatkopar, Mankhurd, Worli and Malad and the five beaches: Juhu, Marve, Madh, Manori and Aksa. Pumps will work 24 hours a day to send floodwater into the sea. The BMC has made an emergency cash provision of Rs 1 lakh for each of its 24 wards.

The fire brigade has trained 170 employees in swimming and evacuation drills at the Mafatlal Swimming Pool in Grant Road. “We are also giving civil defence training to the firemen so that they can deal with any kind of disasters. Since the security of beaches is now a responsibility of the fire brigade, we will make sure all vacant posts of lifeguards are filled and there are at least five trained lifeguards at each of the five beaches,” said chief fire officer Uday Tatkare. 

The BMC has set up 24 disaster control rooms, one for each ward. The cells will have the BMC’s senior disaster management officials who will take calls on helplines and coordinate rescue operations. The BMC’s website www.mumbaimonsoons.com started last year, will be fed constant weather updates from automatic systems that will be installed in each ward.

Ready for monsoon
The teams: 9 Navy teams of 20 members; 3 NDRF teams of 45 and 6 Fire Brigade teams at city’s flood-prone areas, seafronts and beaches; 170 firemen trained in swimming and evacuation drills

HELPLINE: 24 disaster control rooms, one for each ward, by BMC