IMD WARNS OF HEAVY RAINS FROM JUNE 9-12

CM puts agencies on alert after forecast for Mumbai, MMR and Konkan

As the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rains in all the districts of Konkan including the Mumbai metropolitan area from 9th to 12th June, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray on Monday instructed district administration and agencies working in disaster management to be prepared. Thackeray has also directed the administration to move people staying in or near the dangerous buildings, areas prone to landslides and low-lying areas as per the need. He has also asked the administration to ensure that there is no hindrance in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

CM at the meeting with the officers from various departments and district administration said that NDRF and SDRF units should be deployed where necessary during this time of heavy rains and other central agencies including ONGC should be alerted about the heavy rains.

Thackeray also stated that the hospitals should set up alternative

systems, generators, diesel stocks, oxygen stocks, keeping in mind that the power supply may be disrupted in case of heavy rains. He said that alter native arrangements should be made for the

backup of electricity and care should be taken so as to ensure that there is no hindrance in the service of the patients.

The CM said that the Coast Guard and Navy should be alerted for help in case of any need during the monsoon season. He further said that the local administration should also inform the citizens about the excess rainfall in the coastal areas as river flow changes during this period.

Thackeray also instructed the District Guardian Ministers to district disaster management meetings and review the disaster management activities in the district immediately.

As far as MMR is concerned, CM asked the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority to clear debris of various development works to avoid waterlogging.

BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal briefed the cleaning work done in small and big nallas, deepening and widening of big nallas. He said that 474 pumps have been installed in places where water can be stored this year and the stagnant water will be drained. He said that two large tanks have been constructed in the area of Hindmata in which the stagnant water in the area is diverted and stored.