Thane: Following the red alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) over the weekend, the state disaster management cell has sent out an advisory to curb any unfortunate incidents.
Residents have been advised to avoid venturing out in the rain and to stay
indoors in case of a downpour. The officials have also asked Thaneites to minimize the use of mobiles outdoors. The Met department has predicted very heavy rain for the next three days. Officials have asked residents to venture out only if it is necessary; else to remain indoors.
Santosh Kadam, disaster officer of the regional disaster management cell (RDMC), said, “As per the IMD’s predictions, heavy to very heavy rain is expected in Thane and its adjoining areas. The weather could be so intense that it can even give rise to a flood like situation. So, we have advised citizens not to venture out and keep an eye on their surroundings. While it is natural to panic in such cases, we want people to remain calm and not spread rumours. We have also advised people not to take their cars or other private vehicles on the road.”
To tackle any calamity, the RDMC will be deploying rescue operators, ropes, boats and other equipment near the creek side and at low lying areas such as Vrindawan and Shrirang society. As a precautionary step, the Thane municipal corporation (TMC) has also issued a notification to slum dwellers residing near the creek and hilly regions to vacate the premises immediately.
“We have been given orders by TMC chief Sanjeev Jaiswal to send out notices to citizens residing in flood or landslide prone areas. Accordingly on Thursday, we visited slums in Mumbra, Kalwa and Ghodbundar Road and made residents aware of the situation. Even those living near nullahs were served a notice. People living in Azad Nagar, Samrat Nagar, Khadi machine road will have to find a temporary shelter during the next three days,” said a civic official.