KMC to launch desilt drive to save city from another round of inundation
Times of India | 8 May 2024
Kolkata: Taking a lesson from the season’s first thunderstorm that left some pockets flooded, KMC on Tuesday held a series of meetings to prevent inundation of these localities.
According to the strategy adopted by the KMC drainage department officials, the civic body will identify the choked underground sewer lines and conduct a prompt desilting drive by pressing into service jetting-cum-suction machines.
Secondly, the officials manning the major drainage pumping stations will keep the pumps in workable conditions so that they can be pressed into service immediately if it rains again. Thirdly, timely operation of lock gates will become crucial to save several neighbourhoods from inundation, it has been observed.
KMC sources said though storm water had receded from most areas within hours on Monday, several neighbourhoods remained waterlogged till late night. “Considering the heavy rain in a limited span, we noticed large-scale flooding of areas across the city. Then we started taking measures and these yielded results as storm water receded from most areas by late evening. But some pockets will be under watch,” said a KMC official.
A KMC source conceded that it took several hours for storm water to recede from Bowbazar Street, Metropolitan housing (EM Bypass), Topsia, Ballygunge, Kalighat, Anwar Shah Road and Bansdroni due to congestion in underground sewer lines. water remained stagnated till Tuesday morning in some added areas like Behala, Garia and neighbourhoods off EM Bypass. Some hospitals along EM Bypass bore the brunt of waterlogging, too.
A KMC study has found deposition of loads of plastic in the drainage system. “We have been struggling to keep our underground sewerage lines free of plastic. Before the arrival of monsoon, we will need to get rid of this menace,” said a KMC official. This apart, the KMC drainage department is focusing on replacing old pumps that have outlived their utility.