Planning for Mother Nature’s fury

Since this was the first heavy downpour of the season, we may have more serious problems ahead. What is worrisome is that the situation is going from bad to worse every year. Either the drains are unable to withstand the fury of the water that gathers during a downpour or they are not properly maintained. Plastic bags, which are seen strewn all over the region are known to block sewer lines; they should be banned. The Administration and the Municipal Corporation should go into this aspect because should there be continuous rain for two or three days, which is likely during monsoons, water could enter houses and offices. There is also the danger of people getting drowned or electrocuted in such a situation.

While certain remedial measures to prevent choking of drains are taken, some other steps are also necessary since water-logging of roads is now a regular phenomenon during every downpour. For the monsoon season, the Administration must step up its emergency services. Buses to take people to work and tow vehicles to help stranded vehicles should be arranged. Assistance should be particularly available near the schools. In fact, the schools too should have their emergency drill involving senior students for such occasions.

Similarly, police and ambulance vehicles should be at hand to help where required. Having got over this year’s adversity, the authorities will do well to plan for future. It is feared that the new buildings and structures coming up on the city’s outskirts may be blocking the natural flow of water during rains. Since the construction activity in the Chandigarh region is far more than was envisaged, there is a dire need to be very cautious about further development. The rivulets in theregion should be protected at any cost or else we may well end up choking ourselves unconsciously.