Panvel keeps an umbrella handy!

Disaster management cell has 11 centres that will work 24x7 to help the people

Veda Ramaswamy, Panvel

June 02, 2011 - DNA Navi Mumbai

A disaster management cell in Panvel became functional from Wednesday. The cell, set up by the Panvel Municipal Council (PMC) and the administration of Panvel taluka, will be run around the clock.

The cell has come as a boon for residents and commuters as it has been built to counter flooding and help residents in case of any calamity. The management has created six divisions in Panvel and established 11 centres all across these divisions. The centres will not only provide relief measures to the residents under their jurisdiction but also undertake preventive measures to curb flooding and avoid occurrence of any mishaps during monsoons. Residents too can call up these centres if they are in trouble.

The six centres are at Panvel district, Panvel village, Morbe, Poyambe, Taloja and Ovle. Due to the presence of Panvel creek and river Gadhi in the region, surrounding areas run a major risk of flooding during high tide in monsoon. The areas that are most vulnerable to flooding are Palidevad, Vichumbe, Kalundre, Usarli, Karanjade, Khurd, Kolakhe, Vadghar, Gulsunde, Turade, Apta and Chavane in Panvel taluka. Koliwada, Kachhi Mohalla, Patel Mohalla within Panvel city limits are also in danger of flooding. "Our main aim is to keep people safe and rescue them from floods during monsoons. Apart from that, we are also taking preventive measures to avoid any accidents during torrential downpours," said SG Patankar, chief operating officer, PMC. The cell will not only rescue people stuck in floodwaters, it will help clear up waterlogged roads and help traffic move freely and also remove uprooted trees blocking roads.

Not only is the fear of flooding a major concern for officials, the danger of landslides during monsoon is a major cause for worry. Many villages in Panvel taluka are prone to landslides. "Villages such as Akurli, Bardoli, Chikhle and Machi Prabhal in rural areas of Panvel are highly sensitive to landslides during monsoon due to their proximity to Matheran hill ranges. There have been lots of accidents because of landslides in these villages. As a part of the Disaster Management Cell, we are trying to avert any such untoward calamity this year and conscious efforts will be on to help out the villagers in need," said an officer from the Panvel taluka administration office.

The cell is expected to be active till the end of monsoon to make sure that there is no damage and loss of property and human life in the area.