Cyclone Tauktae: Mumbai ready to face cyclone; check out preparation made by BMC

A light spell of rain and gusty winds was witnessed in the early hours of Monday in view of the Cyclone Tauktae in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted that moderate to intense spells of rain with gusty winds reaching 75-85 kmph is likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Palghar and Ratnagiri during the next three hours.

It predicted a maximum of 36 degrees and a minimum of 27-degree temperature for the day with a generally cloudy sky with moderate rain accompanied by gusty winds in the city with a possibility of heavy falls at isolated places.

Although the cyclone is not a direct threat to the Mumbai metropolis, as it is approaching the Mumbai coast, all precautionary measures have been taken in view of the possibility of strong winds and heavy rains. On the backdrop of Cyclone Tauktae, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar visited the Emergency Control Room at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Headquarters and reviewed the current situation of the cyclone and the preparatory work done by the Corporation. Head of Emergency Management Department Rashmi Lokhande was present on the occasion. The mayor has appealed to the citizens of Mumbai to follow the instructions given by the municipal administration.

In view of the forecast made by the Meteorological Department, it has appealed to the citizens not to leave their homes for the next two days.

• Will move citizens
  Temporary shelters have already been set up for those living along the coast, in low-lying areas, if necessary.
   
• Response Squad
  The Emergency Management Department is also co-ordinating with the Navy, Coast Guard, Army and National Disaster Response Team to provide assistance as required.
   
• Flood rescue squads
  The Mumbai Fire Brigade has been directed to deploy flood rescue squads at six intersections in view of the possibility of strong winds and rains. Also, instructions have been given to keep police mobile vans active in all these places.
   
• 512 Boats safe
  In Palghar district, 512 fishing boats have reached the shore safely. The administration had issued an alert considering the threat of Cyclone. Citizens have responded positively.
   
• 25 boats for shelter
  In Raigad district, 96 fishing boats have reached the shore safely.At Dighi Port, 25 boats from Mumbai city and Mumbai suburbs have come for shelter, while no foreign boats have come to Raigad district for shelter.
   
• Warning to citizens
  Citizens should not go to places like Chowpatty in Mumbai, as well as the area near the beach. Also, Mumbai Police and Fire Brigade should take necessary action in this regard.
   
• Railway service will continue
  National Disaster Response Team units are equipped with the necessary equipment. Necessary precautionary measures have been taken at the railway level and the suburban train service will continue for the next two days, the railways said.
   
• Install barricades immediately
  Instructions were given by Mumbai Metro, Roads Department, Coastal Road, MMRDA, etc. to erect barricades in all the places where infrastructure works are in progress.
   
• No water logging
  In order to prevent water logging in the low lying areas, pumps have been installed at all the necessary places and it has been ensured that they are well equipped and functional.
   
• Reflective jacket
  Workers and officers present on duty of the corporation have been instructed to wear reflective jackets.
   
• BEST on alert
  Transport officers have been appointed at various places by the transport department of BEST. Officers have also been posted in the control rooms by the power supply department. The Department of Transport and Power Supply has also appointed officers for the emergency rooms of the Municipal Corporation.