Rescue plan in place to face flood: Panvel district administration

NAVI MUMBAI: The district administration in Panvel taluka is well-equipped to deal with deluge in the area, said officials. They were responding to a report that 36 villages in Panvel, with a population of about 50,000, may face flood-like situation.
Revenue officials said that a report, detailing the risk, has been sent to the district collector for action.
Disaster management system has been put on alert and the government machinery is prepared to avoid loss of lives and properties, said officials.
Panvel sub-divisional officer Sudam Pardeshi said that a high-level meeting, presided over by the guardian minister, had reviewed the disaster management plan. “All ways to counter a flood-like situation in Panvel taluka have been discussed at the meeting in detail,” he said.
These villages are situated along the banks of rivers Gadi, Lendi, Patal Ganga Ursali, and Kasadi, among others. During the recent downpour, these rivers were overflowing and stormwater had entered the villages. This led to the administration issuing an alert to the villages.
Former sarpanch of Vavinche village, D R Patil said, “Most of these villages were partially submerged during 2005 deluge and people are frightened. The authorities must take all steps to ensure safety for all.”
Pardeshi added that the administration is ready to face any kind of situation in the event of deluge. “There is no need to panic. In case of flood, we have made arrangements for immediate evacuation and will also be opening transit camps.”