Pune’s disaster management control room runs smoothly, effectively controls flooding after water release from dams

Sonune said the staff includes personnel from the police department, fire department and various other civic departments that immediately coordinate with their respective department during an emergency to ensure swift action. “We had asked the state water resources department to intimate us on discharge of the quantity of water that would be released into Mutha river three hours in advance. It was as per their information that the control room took steps for handling possible flood situations in low line areas,” said Sonune.

The field staff of ward offices have been pressed into service to handle the situation in their respective areas. “There was a video conferencing call conducted by an additional municipal commissioner from the control room with the staff and officers on field. It is turning out to be very effective in handling emergency situations. Those on field have been given torch, ropes, boats for the fire department to be used if necessary. The public address system is being used to alert citizens of the locality that gets flooded when excess water is released in the river.”

For the first time, the PMC has started help centres at the locations that witness frequent flooding and provision has been made for shifting around 1,500 persons in dormitories in civic schools and halls, added Sonune.

On the technology front, a big TV has been installed at the control room and the live feeds are telecasted on it. Each of the 20 staffers on duty are given computers and phones to use technology for faster communication with concerned response teams. “A server exclusively for the disaster management department has been procured which gives all the technology support. We will upgrade the control room as per requirement,” he said, adding at present the local rain data information from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is collected and tracked while a team of PMC staff also sits at the control room of the water resource department to monitors dam levels.
The control room started on the lines of that of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) in Mumbai will work throughout the year and handle all kinds of disasters and mega events or incidents arising from terrorist attacks or those from external elements, and ensure public safety.

Spread over 7,400 sq feet, the control room includes a conference room, advanced control room, server room, advisory room and restrooms for staff along with latest telecommunication facilities.