Mumbai rains: Citizens to receive SMS alert on their phones during monsoon. Details here
3 min read . Updated: 17 May 2023, 08:16 AM IST
PremiumMumbai rains: Control room has been set up by the District Disaster Management Department to provide timely alerts about weather conditions and it has a mechanism to provide real-time weather alerts.
Mumbaikars will now receive weather updates on their mobile phones through SMSes during monsoon, news agency PTI has reported citing the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
"An SMS alert will be sent to citizens during an emergency," the BMC said.
BMC commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal on Tuesday chaired a meeting with various agencies on disaster management as monsoon preparedness.
Officials of BEST, MMRDA, MSRDC, PWD, Mumbai Metro, Railways, NDRF, IMD, MHADA and other agencies along with the civic officials attended the meeting.
Control room has been set up by the District Disaster Management Department to provide timely alerts about weather conditions and it has a mechanism to provide real-time weather alerts.
BMC commissioner has directed all departments and agencies to expedite coordination to mitigate the possible challenges during the monsoon, PTI has reported citing the release.
For the smooth operation of suburban trains, which are used by more than 70 lakh people daily, Chahal has directed the BMC's garden department to complete the trimming of trees in the railway premises by end of May.
The BMC will install de-watering pumps at 480 locations in Mumbai where waterlogging may occur during heavy rainfall and these pumps will also have CCTV camera surveillance. Moreover, after May 15, BMC has directed that no permission will be given for the digging of roads in Mumbai except for emergencies.
Furthermore, the civic body has also reserved 3,000 beds to accommodate patients with monsoon-related diseases.
It has also made arrangements to provide shelter to citizen in five schools in case of emergencies like heavy rainfall.
Chahal said the occupants of dangerous buildings should be served notices to vacate, and alternative arrangements for their accommodation should be made. As per the orders of the High Court, the water supply of such dangerous buildings should be discontinued.
"In accordance with this, Municipal Commissioner Chahal instructed to coordinate properly at the district collectorate level and to take necessary measures. He also asked to formulate the policy for the construction of protective walls," it said.
The BMC was informed that NDRF has formed three teams for monsoon-related emergencies in Mumbai. Additionally, an extra team will be stationed in the eastern suburbs.
"The Indian Navy has also informed about their teams and divers who will be ready for emergency response," the release stated, adding that Chahal also instructed Mumbai Fire Brigade to remain vigilant for any emergency.
Meanwhile, the onset of southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on 4 June with a model error of plus or minus four days, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday. The predictions came a day after after private forecaster Skymet said it sees delayed and weak monsoon. Meanwhile, Skymet added shortly after the IMD’s forecast that it sees monsoon will make a weak onset a week later by 7 June with an error margin of plus or minus three days.
Last month, IMD predicted a normal monsoon this year, offering hope to millions of farmers. Forecast of below-normal monsoon rains for 2023 by Skymet, however, posed mounting risks to rural incomes, consumption and economic growth. It had said that rains in the June-September season will be 94% of the long-period average due to the impact of the El Niño weather pattern, linked to droughts or poor rainfall in India. The IMD had forecast rains at 96% of the long period average