Pre-Monsoon Drive In Mumbai: Rescue Teams Track Landslide Prone Areas

With monsoon just a few days away, the BMC’s disaster management team, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), army, navy and fire brigade (MFB) personnel, have started surveying 105 most vulnerable spots. The recce started on Friday to familiarise the rescue personnel with vulnerable areas so they can access the spots easily in case of any mishap.

As per the civic body’s pre-monsoon survey, there are 74 landslide prone areas and 104 dangerous buildings in the city. Notices are sent to inhabitants and efforts are made to try and shift them to safer locations. However, many a time, people are not ready to leave their homes and need to be counselled and trained for emergencies.

Mahesh Narvekar, the director of BMC’s disaster management department said, “Rescue teams carried out a survey of the most vulnerable spots in Borivali, Malad, Andheri, Bandra and Mulund. On Saturday, other vulnerable spots in the island city and eastern suburbs will be surveyed by the team.”

In critical landslide prone areas, the teams check the soil, dangerous trees, condition of houses, the number of residents, and shelter arrangements for them. “There are  times that the teams face challenges during rescue operations in narrow lanes and densely populated areas. So a recce is carried out to find out the closest route of escape,” said a senior civic official, adding that teams select volunteers and share basic information on response, precautions, first-aid, types of injuries and treatment.