BMP geared up to tackle emergencies, say officials

BMP geared up to tackle emergencies, say officials

The Hindu

Commissioner and top BMP officials to monitor the relief operations round the clock Commissioner and top officials to monitor the relief operations round the clock

# Three more control points have been set up
# To handle crises not only in BMP limits but also in surrounding CMC areas
# People advised to drink only boiled water and keep the lids of water tanks closed


BANGALORE: As many as 21 relief centres, extra control points, purchase of three heavy duty 30 hp water pumps from Chennai, help desks and preventive measures to check outbreak of epidemic. These are some of the measures initiated by the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to tackle rain-related problems.

As the existing control rooms are flooded with calls from people in distress, the BMP has made arrangements to equip the control rooms to meet any emergency situation.

Three more control points equipped with vehicles, men and material have been set up. BMP Commissioner K. Jothiramalingam and top BMP officials will monitor the relief operations round the clock.


The BMP Additional Commissioner, Gaurav Gupta, told The Hindu on Tuesday that a senior official has been appointed to monitor each of the control rooms and additional points. "We have hired an extra vehicle and a mounted 100 KVA capacity generator van for each zone to help rescue operations during nights in the BMP as well as in the surrounding city municipal council (CMC) areas. In addition, the control rooms will also have an extra portable generator set to be used in case of emergency," he said.

Stressing that the BMP is geared up to tackle the situation, Mr Gupta said: "We want to set an example by handling any crisis not only in our limits but also in the CMC areas," he said.

Mayor R. Narayanaswamy said the BMP has identified 21 relief centres in BMP community centres and schools to temporarily rehabilitate persons who may be displaced following inundation.

"Arrangements have been made to accommodate up to 5,300 people in these centres. We will also provide food, clothing and emergency medical care to people housed in these centres," he said.

Pointing out that special arrangements have been made to bring three heavy duty 30 hp pumps from Chennai, the Mayor said personnel from the BMP's health department have started spraying anti-malarial disinfectants in places where water has stagnated.

"This is to check outbreak of epidemic. Adequate quantity of bleaching powder and chlorine and halogen tablets are being purchased for use in potential areas. All BMP hospitals are provided with additional stocks of medicine and doctors have been instructed to be available round the clock," the Mayor said.

Caution

The BMP authorities have advised people not to venture out on roads unless it is inevitable. "People are advised to drink only boiled water and keep the lids of their water tanks closed. The BMP appeals to people not to throw tins, tyres and other floating material in the drains as such obstructions will clog the storm water drains and obstruct flow of water," a press release said.

Mr. Jothiramalingam, who convened a meeting of heads of all departments in the BMP on Tuesday, later met Chief Secretary B K Das and briefed him about the relief measures. Mr. Gupta accompanied him.