With the IMD predicting "heavy to very heavy" rainfall along the Maharashtra coast, including Mumbai, over this weekend, Mumbai's main civic body is preparing to prevent and tackle monsoon-related disasters. Pre-monsoon showers hit parts of Mumbai on Thursday morning, causing waterlogging and resulting in delays on the suburban rail network.
The administration of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a number of precautionary measures to tackle any eventuality in view of the warning of extremely heavy rainfall by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) from June 9 to 11, a statement issued by the civic body said.
"Leaves of all the senior officials—including deputy municipal commissioners (DMCs), assistant commissioners (AMCs) and heads of departments—have been cancelled and they have been directed to be available in their headquarters on June 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday)," it said.
On the steps being taken, the BMC said three teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) will be stationed at Parel and Mankhurd for assistance in the eastern suburbs and Andheri Sports Complex (for western suburbs). They are equipped with walkie-talkies and flood rescue material.
Besides, Indian Navy personnel will be deployed in Colaba, Worli, Ghatkopar, Trombay and Malad for flood rescue if required, the BMC release said.
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In addition to this, six flood rescue teams of Mumbai Fire Brigade will be posted at the regional command centres and emergency support functions like BEST (bus transport system), police, traffic police and education officers have been alerted.
The education officers monitoring school premises in all 24 administrative wards have been asked to keep shelter schools open 24/7. De-watering pumps will be kept ready and flood-prone spots will be monitored closely during the expected period of heavy rain, the BMC statement said.
As per the IMD forecast, there is a possibility of very heavy rainfall in Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Palghar districts on June 9. There is a similar forecast for the six districts of Konkan region, including Mumbai, and surrounding areas on June 10 and 11.