Pimpri Chinchwad: With the India Meteorological Department forecasting above-normal rainfall for the upcoming monsoon season, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Shekhar Singh has instructed all civic departments to be on high alert and strengthen their emergency preparedness strategies. The directive was given during a comprehensive pre-monsoon review meeting held at the Late Mayor Madhukar Pawale Auditorium.
Accompanied by Additional Commissioners Vijaykumar Khorate and Tripti Sandbhor, Joint Commissioner Chandrakant Indalkar, City Engineer Makarand Nikam, and other senior officials, Commissioner Singh emphasized the importance of micro-level planning and seamless coordination among departments to effectively manage potential monsoon-related emergencies.
Major Guidelines and Measures Announced:
Permanent Flood Mitigation Solutions: Departments have been directed to identify flood-prone areas and implement long-term solutions to minimize waterlogging.
Hospital Readiness: Municipal hospitals must ensure continuous power supply during emergencies to maintain healthcare services.
Evacuation of Unsafe Structures: Notices will be issued to residents of structurally unsound buildings, with contingency plans for safe evacuation.
Temporary Shelter Arrangements: Local schools will be converted into temporary shelters for those displaced due to flooding.
Riverbank Relocation: Residents living near flood-prone riverbanks will be relocated to safer areas.
To provide rapid aid during emergencies, the Commissioner announced the deployment of 24/7 Quick Response Teams comprising personnel from disaster management, fire services, health, power, structural, and garden departments. These teams will operate even during the night to ensure timely intervention.
In a bid to enhance public safety, the sky-sign department has been ordered to remove all unauthorized and hazardous hoardings citywide within two days. Simultaneously, the ongoing drain-cleaning operations must be completed without delay.
Commissioner Singh stressed the need for continuous inter-departmental coordination and directed zonal officers to confirm that all local emergency response systems in their respective wards are functioning efficiently. The meeting also included a review of last year’s monsoon performance and current preparedness measures, with Disaster Management Officer Omprakash Bahival presenting an update on the city’s readiness for the upcoming season.
