Chandigarh draws monsoon strategy: sets up 18 teams for floods, 7 waterlogging control rooms

Municipal Commissioner Amit Kumar held a review meeting with all special flood response teams Saturday to assess readiness and streamline coordination. The 24×7 control rooms will function in three shifts, each staffed by designated teams, including field managers (FMs), multi-task workers (MTWs), and public health officials. A public health officer in each control room will act as the single point of contact (SPOC) to coordinate multi-departmental efforts.

The 24×7 control rooms will function in three shifts, each staffed by designated teams, including field managers (FMs), multi-task workers (MTWs), and public health officials. (Express Photo)

Monsoon preparedness

To strengthen emergency response, 18 specially trained teams have been formed comprising officials from key departments such as public health, building & roads (B&R), horticulture, medical officer of health (MOH), electrical, and fire department. These teams will be stationed in vulnerable sectors for rapid deployment during rainfall.

A fleet of five water tankers with drivers has been placed on 24-hour standby to manage localised flooding and ensure quick clearance of accumulated water in low-lying areas.

Fire department personnel, trained in disaster management protocols, will be strategically stationed to respond to emergencies, including potential structural collapses, blocked drains, or trapped individuals.

In case of any structural failures due to rain, the B&R wing has been tasked with erecting safety barricades at collapse or damage sites to secure the area and prevent public access.

To ensure uninterrupted emergency services, no casual or earned leave will be sanctioned to any staff involved in flood control duties throughout the monsoon period. All departments have been instructed to mobilise their existing workforce for round-the-clock availability.

Additionally, two enforcement vehicles will be allotted to each control room to support field mobility, team coordination, and on-site interventions.
The MCC has urged residents to cooperate during the monsoon season and immediately report any instances of water-logging or flood-related problems through the dedicated helpline numbers for timely redressal and assistance.