The Hindu 10.11.2009
Corporation to step up flood, diseases prevention measures
Special Correspondent
| A 24-hour flood monitoring cell will function |
— Photo: M.Periasamy. 
TO AVERT PROBLEMS: Mayor R. Venkatachalam (left) and Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra (right) discussing flood and diseases prevention measures at a meeting with zone heads and officials on Monday.
COIMBATORE: The prevention of water stagnation by putting up rainwater harvesting structures and removing blocks in storm water drains and medical camps in all the four zones are some of the measures that the Coimbatore Corporation has planned to take up during the North-East Monsoon to prevent flooding and outbreak of diseases.
A 24-hour flood monitoring cell will function at the Corporation. It will respond to requests from the public and the councillors to seek de-flooding measures. The phone numbers of the cell are: (0422) 3234071 and 3234072.
These measures were decided at a meeting chaired by Mayor R. Venkatachalam on Monday to review the situation in the city in the wake of the heavy rain over the last three days. Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra, Deputy Mayor N. Karthik, the elected heads of zones and committees and health and engineering officials took part in the meeting.
The elected representatives complained of stagnation of rainwater at various places in the city and attributed the water-logging to blocks in storm water drains. Officials said silt removal works were being carried out at Rs.2 crore across the city.
A press release issued by the Mayor said the meeting decided to establish rainwater harvesting structures in areas prone to water stagnation.
More than 10 motors and adequate number of workers would be made available in all the zones to carry out de-flooding measures. The Corporation also decided to seek special funds to carry out relief measures.
Sources in the civic body said the elected representatives pointed out that many roads were damaged and that potholes should be closed immediately to avert accidents during rain.
Steps must also be taken to ensure that all street lights functioned.
The members expressed concern over water not reaching the eastern section of Valankulam, a major water body that re-charges the aquifers in the Sungam, Ukkadam, Race Course and Ramanathapuram areas.
They said that the condition of this portion of the tank had led to depletion of ground water table in wards 21 to 25 and also 12 and 13. Efforts would be taken along with the Public Works Department to ensure that the water reached the eastern section, the release said.
Four medical teams would be deployed in the zones to prevent diseases. Medical help would be rushed to any affected section.
Mosquito breeding control measures would also be taken up as part of the diseases prevention effort.
