Rain gauges to be installed in all municipal zones

SURAT: With a view to facilitate decentralized monitoring of rain, Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has installed rain gauges in all seven municipal zones in the city. These instruments, which provide an update on rainfall data every 15 minutes, have proved effective in planning the rescue and relief operations in the low-lying areas hit by the heavy rainfall.

Sources said SMC was the first in the state to install rain gauges in Katargam and Mora Bhagal areas some four years ago. After the success of the rain monitoring devices, the authorities decided to cover all the seven municipal zones with the rain monitoring system this year.

“This instrument has facilitated the SMC to gauge the amount of rain in each zones, thus, helping us to take the necessary steps to avoid the damage caused by heavy rainfall in certain areas,” said G M Kothwala, chief fire officer (CFO).

According to Kothwala, Pandesara and Mughalsarai area received the maximum of eight and nine inches rainfall respectively on Thursday. However, the rescue teams were deployed in the low-lying Pandesara area to rescue the slum dwellers residing near the Bhedwad creek that was flowing below the danger level.

Rain gauges have been installed on the rooftops of ward offices at Kapodara, Morabhagal, Katargam, Pandesara, Dumbhal, Majura Gate and at SMC’s headquarters in Mughalsarai. All the instruments are manual and that the data is updated at every 15 minutes by the trained staff.

Sources said that the Met department has also started taking information from the SMC about the rainfall in different parts of the city.