BMC Readies To Counter Rain Threat From Cyclone ‘Titli’

Bhubaneswar: In the wake of the IMD prediction about cyclonic storm Titli, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) in the coordination of all line departments will start a multi-agency control room for 24X7 surveillance of the situation from Wednesday.

According to official sources, 13 sector officers will be deployed across the city and pre-position pumps in coordination with Odisha Fire Services Department at low-lying pockets between October 10 and 12.

The pumps will be positioned near SAB Industry backside lane Daya West Canal side near Garage Square, Sarada Matha Lane Sriram Nagar Lane-10 in Ward No 59,  Lane -6, Kelu Charan Mohapatra front lane Ward No 61, Ratna Villa and Rabindra Garden Ward No 51 and Paikanagar Ward No 50.

The civic body would cover all vulnerable points by Wednesday morning, the sources added.

Citizens from low-lying and vulnerable pockets across the city can register their complaints through Bhubaneswar Operations Centre 18003450061. They can also lodge their complaints with the Storm Water Control Room (BMC) on 0674-2432281.

The civic authorities have already written to senior administrative officer, Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA), Additional District Magistrate, Bhubaneswar, Superintending Engineer Public Works Department, Superintending Engineer Public Health Engineering Organisation and Executive Engineer (Prachi Irrigation Division) of the Water Resources Department and Chief Fire Officer, Odisha, to depute one nodal officer each for each shift to the 24X7 multi-agency control room at BMC.

The control room will work in three shifts (6 am to 2 pm, from 2 pm to 10 pm and from 10 pm to 6 am).

The inclusion of the nodal officers from other city-based line departments is being planned so that when a situation arises from a grievance relating to that particular department, the nodal officer present at the control room from that department concerned could coordinate with the officials in the ground and solve the problems smoothly.

In another notification, the civic body has asked all officials concerned not to go on leave during this period.