With the monsoon approaching, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has unveiled a detailed disaster management plan to tackle emergencies that may arise during the rainy season. Spearheaded by additional commissioner Vasumana Pant, the plan is focused on ensuring quick and coordinated responses to incidents like flooding, waterlogging, and tree falls.
Manoj Talewar, in-charge chief engineer, has been named planning head, while chief fire officer BS Chandankhede will lead operations. Six major departments — electricity, garden, public health engineering, solid waste, workshop, and encroachment removal — are part of this preparedness drive.
Focus on High-Risk Areas
The action plan comes after last year’s heavy rains left hundreds of homes, vehicles, and properties damaged, especially in South and South-West Nagpur. In some areas, residents endured flooding three to four times due to poor drainage infrastructure. The September 23, 2023 deluge was particularly devastating, sparking public outcry over the NMC’s response.
This year, with dark clouds looming again, residents in flood-prone zones are bracing for the worst, though they hope for better management and quicker relief.
Round-the-Clock Control Room Ready
To ensure constant monitoring, a 24-hour control room has been set up at NMC headquarters. Citizens can report emergencies by calling 2567029, 2567777, or the helpline 108.
Two senior officials and zonal executive engineers will take turns as control room supervisors, with 12 assistant engineers also deployed to handle incoming complaints. The NMC has stressed inter-departmental coordination and rapid response as top priorities.
Dedicated Response Teams Formed
Four task-specific teams have been formed to handle emergencies:
Team 1: Fire and public works departments – to tackle urban flooding
Team 2: Garden department – to clear fallen trees
Team 3: Electricity department – to deal with damaged poles and snapped wires
Team 4: Solid waste, encroachment, hot-mix plant, and workshop departments – to handle building collapses
All NMC officials will be on alert from June 1 to September 30, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
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