Round-the-clock civic teams deployed to ensure uninterrupted services: Mumbai civic chief

Mumbai civic chief Ashwini Bhide briefs Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on the BMC`s monsoon response and rain-related preparedness. PIC/BMC

As Mumbai continues to witness relentless monsoon rainfall, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said its officers and field staff are working round the clock to ensure civic services remain uninterrupted and normal life is affected as little as possible.

BMC Commissioner Ashwini Bhide on Monday appreciated the efforts of officials and employees from various civic departments who have remained on the ground despite continuous heavy rain over the past five days.

According to the civic body, personnel from the Mumbai Fire Brigade, Storm Water Drains Department, Roads and Traffic Department, Gardens Department, Public Health Department, Solid Waste Management Department, and other civic wings have been working in the field to respond to rain-related emergencies and maintain essential services.

Bhide said the coordinated efforts of engineers, officers, workers, and emergency response teams have helped the civic administration respond promptly to the challenges posed by the ongoing monsoon.

She also directed all departments to remain on high alert over the next few days, as the rainfall situation is expected to remain critical.

Field teams have been instructed to continue close monitoring and ensure effective coordination with other departments wherever required.

BMC prioritises dewatering, debris clearance, and emergency response amid heavy rain

The commissioner directed officials to prioritise the dewatering of waterlogged areas, keep dewatering pumps operational at vulnerable locations, ensure continuous road cleaning, prune hazardous tree branches, and promptly remove garbage as well as construction and demolition debris.

She also stressed the need for immediate cleaning of garbage-sensitive and waterlogging-prone locations, timely emergency response, regular field inspections and seamless inter-departmental coordination.

While appreciating the dedication of civic personnel, Bhide urged all officials and workers to take adequate precautions to protect their health and safety while carrying out field duties during the ongoing spell of heavy rain.

The civic administration also advised employees to take preventive measures against leptospirosis, a common monsoon-related disease.

BMC staff have been advised to take a 200 mg dose of Doxycycline as a preventive medication, which is available at civic hospitals and dispensaries.

Officials said the BMC machinery remains fully mobilised to tackle rain-related incidents and ensure uninterrupted civic services across Mumbai, the civic commissioner said.