Bengaluru: The Karnataka government on Monday geared up to face the monsoon rain which is expected to enter the state this month. The decision in this regard was taken at the State Level Pre-Monsoon Preparatory meeting presided over by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa with other officials.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Revenue Minister R Ashok and senior officials of the government have already held two meetings with the local body chiefs, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) commissioner B H Anil Kumar, various district-level and the Meteorological Department officials.
Reportedly, the chief minister has warned of suspending the officials who do not show responsibility in this time.
According to officials, in Bengaluru, a 500-member civil defence team has been set up. The BBMP will bear the expenses of the team. A group has also been formed under the disaster management to tackle the rain-related problems at the state level. Secretary and department heads have been asked to supervise the relief works at the district level.
Regarding this, minister Ashok said, "Permanent buildings will be constructed to shift the people to safer places instead of putting up temporary sheds. An amount of Rs 310 crore has been reserved for the Disaster Management Team. Rehabilitation centres, equipped with all necessary facilities, will be constructed at several places, including Bengaluru, Madikeri and Mangaluru."
"The government will get a report from the Disaster Management Team every day about the flooded areas, speed of the air and alerts. In Bengaluru, the residents have been already asked to install the Megha Sandesha app to be safe from the rain. The capital city has been divided into eight zones which will be management eight teams comprising ACP-level officers, BBMP joint commissioners, Bescom, Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) and Forest Department officials," he said.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, BBMP Commissioner, B.H. Anil Kumar said, "In each of the zone, we have set up task forces consisting of BBMP officials, fire service personnel, and BWSSB officials. The disaster management officials have been asked to be alert for the situation. All senior officials of the states have formed a WhatsApp group, through which they will coordinate and update the situations of their locality. Flood alerts will be issued every day."
"All efforts will be made to prevent flood in 800 flood sensitive areas and sensors have been installed in 21 main stormwater drains (Rajakaluve). An alarm will ring when the drains are 75% full. This will help to prevent the imminent flooding. The police officials have been directed to put up barricades as soon trees fall after the rain to ensure that people do not step foot on the electric cables. Generators will be used to clear the trees that fall at night and BWSSB officials have been told to clear close the manholes immediately, Anil Kumar explained.
"The government has left no stone unturned to see that the rain does not cause much damage in Bengaluru. Pumps will be used to clear the water in underpasses and drains have been cleaned to ensure that the rainwater flows smoothly," he added.
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