Eastern suburbs under high-risk during monsoon

Mumbai: During the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will have to concentrate more on eastern suburbs like Kurla, Bhandup and Ghatkopar, which are likely to be the most high-risk areas in the city.

While Kurla has highest number of dilapidated buildings (111), Bhandup has the maximum landslide spots (152) in the city.

According to the ward vulnerability report prepared by the BMC, Kurla (L ward) along with 111 dangerous buildings have 12 water logging spots, 18 landslide spots and 13 vulnerable settlements. Bhandup (S ward), with 152 landslide spots, also have 12 water logging spots and 10 dilapidated buildings. While Ghatkopar (N ward) has 77 dilapidated buildings, it also has 11 water logging spots and 32 landslide places.

The F-North ward, consisting of areas like Sion and Matunga, has the highest (16) waterlogging spots.

The data of ward vulnerability report has been compiled by the civic ward offices as a part of their pre-monsoon preparedness.

The civic body has accessed the vulnerability of civic wards on the basis of factors like number of flooding spots, landslide-prone areas, dilapidated buildings, and seafront settlements.

The survey shows that there are total 590 dilapidated buildings in the city. These structures include includes cess, non-cess as well as municipal properties.

In addition to this, there are 179 water logging spots in the city and 290 landslide areas. The total number of vulnerable settlements, which includes coastal areas, areas under high-tension wires etc, in the city is 73.

In case of emergency situations, the civic body has earmarked 142 assembly points across the city. These have been municipal schools, which will be converted into shelters to accommodate affected people, said civic officials.

“We want to be prepared to tackle the monsoon related problems in each ward of the city. Hence the assessment was carried out so that we can undertake preventive measures depending on the vulnerability of the ward. The officials in the most vulnerable wards have been told to be on high alert during heavy rains.” said a senior civic official.