From sending drinking water samples for quality tests to putting in place a team for tackling emergencies, the Coimbatore Corporation is gearing up to be monsoon ready.
According to Mayor P. Rajkumar, he had instructed officials to remove silt in drains in low-lying areas to ensure smooth flow of rain water, keep motors ready to flush water from subways and railway underpasses or make alternative arrangements to ensure the disposal of water, keep the suction motors in running condition and also the lorries that suck out water. He was in the process of putting in place a mechanism to tackle tree fall so as to clear traffic at the earliest.
Meeting heldTo review its monsoon preparedness and take stock of the situation, the Corporation officials recently held a meeting, where officials identified the inundation-prone areas and the rescue centres (see graphic).
The officials said they would in the next few days clean the storm water drains before the start of the North-East Monsoon, remove trees in dangerous condition and administer vaccines to people in vulnerable areas to prevent outbreak of cholera or other water-borne epidemics, said Commissioner S. Ganesh.
Deputy Commissioner P. Gandhimathi said that the Corporation had also sent water samples from all the drinking water supply schemes for testing. Based on the test results, the Corporation would decide on the next course of action like increasing chlorination.
In the West Zone, the Corporation had identified 14 vulnerable areas, in the North Zone - 14, in the East Zone - seven, in the South Zone – 13, and in the Central Zone - 24.
The Corporation officials also decided to keep things ready that would be required in the relief centres like generators, drinking water, food, etc., Mr. Ganesh said and added that each wing of the Corporation had been given specific task.