Mumbai's civic body promises real-time rain information

MUMBAI: The BMC's website, which became operational on June 1, promises to give Mumbaikars a wealth of real-time information about the rains. This includes details about rainfall in specific areas, traffic conditions, high- and low-tide information and so on. Officials said the website is designed to help people decide whether it's safe to leave the house or not and which areas are better to visit.
Area-wise rainfall data will be updated regularly. For example, a Khar resident might learn how much rain fell in the last hour, the last three hours, the last six hours, and the last 12 and 24 hours. The civic body has also tied up with mobile companies to send information on days when it rains and there are high tides. Helpline numbers 108 and 1916 are operational 24x7 to handle emergencies. For the first time, the BMC is using social networking sites to provide information and there are also tie-ups with various radio channels to broadcast warnings to the public.
The disaster management cell will be in touch with 35 weather stations across the city and control rooms in all 24 ward offices. All agencies, including the fire brigade, police, traffic police, BEST, railways and so on will be connected through hotlines. Major government hospitals will also be linked to control rooms.
The BMC has also set up flood rescue teams. Training camps at 33 fire stations across the city are teaching citizens disaster response and the BMC has setup 230 water-pumps. Fire brigade and civil defence personnel have been deployed to prevent drownings; 36 life guards are stationed at six beaches. The navy will have nine teams positioned at various parts of the city.