The rains may play truant this year, but the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) does not want to take any chances. To make sure that disaster management plan is in place during monsoon, the civic body has welcomed the participation of various NGOs, corporate houses and individuals from across the city to help them in a crisis-like situation.

Seeing the positive response, the civic body is only too happy to claim that the massive awareness campaigns held over the years have led to increased participation from people. “This year, we have received an overwhelming response from volunteers offering to help us with various disaster management activities. There is an increased level of awareness in the community who realise that real change can happen only with active participation,” said deputy chief officer, disaster management cell, Mahesh Narvekar.

The volunteers in their respective wards have taken care of numerous pre and post monsoon work ranging from nullah cleaning, preparations for rescue operations during flooding, post-showers clean up and also giving medical care to those affected by floods. A case in point is fifty-five year old SD Koltekar, a member of the Siddhivinayak Kalakari Mandal, operating from K-east ward (Jogeshwari-East). He said, “The nullah cleaning is the most important pre-monsoon exercise. Our volunteers went to all the low-lying areas, especially chawls, and made sure that the nullahs have been cleaned,” said Koltekar.

For Kirti Ajmera (51), from the Lions Club, providing essential medicines during floods is a way to fulfill his social responsibility. “Supplying essential medicines and helping victims is a cause of concern during crisis. So we decided to pitch in there,” said Ajmera.

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