General Action Plan at Ward Level to address urban flooding

The action plans are to be formulated for wards of cities with specific actions identified for urban local body and RWAs. All such action plans should be integrated by Emergency Operations Centers (EOC).

Pre-Monsoon

• Complete the work of reinstatement of potholes and trenches taken by department and by various utility services. Cleaning of storm water entrances, desilting storm water drainage / nallhas and other water bodies in the wards.
• Engineer in-charge of wards must ensure that contractors/ owners should lift the debris, unused material (sand, paver blocks, stores etc.) immediately after completion construction/ repair works.
• To provide adequate generator sets in each ward and to ensure the same are in operational condition.
• Identify land for temporary shelters/ rehabilitation in case of emergencies.
• Identify schools for temporary shelters in coordination with education department and review the facilities available/needed to be provided in the temporary shelters.
• Awareness to be generated among the local residents about various actions to be taken by them and not to create panic situations by displaying boards at the identified locations with emergency contact numbers with the help Resident Welfare Affairs.
• Remove unauthorized encroachments on gutters/water entrances which obstruct the flow of rain water.
• Prune dangerous tree branches and branches that impede vehicular traffic.
• Prop or fence dangerous municipal buildings or otherwise demolish the same in time and arrange to shift the residents to a safe place.
• Alert to be issued to local health centers/ hospitals/ clinics, etc. The medical centers/institutes should be well equipped and maintain sufficient stock of medicines required during emergency.
• Arrange to provide food packets to victims and staff on duty in disaster situation during monsoon period.
• Keep vigil and take preventive measures on mosquito breeding and rodent reproduction.
• Prepare and implement pest control plan.
• Keep sufficient stock of pest control machinery and materials.
• Implement Malaria control & eradication program.
• Check overhead water storage tanks in municipal and private premises for mosquito proof cover and take necessary action.

During monsoon

• During heavy rains, divide the ward staff of municipal drainage and maintenance department into small groups to perform anti flooding activities like removing floating materials, tree leaves and plastics from the storm water entrances in various sections of the ward under the supervision and guidance of Municipal Engineer/ Junior Engineer.
• Pay special attention to identified water logging prone spots and deploy well equipped municipal rescue teams, civil defense and volunteers.
• Municipal engineers to be present at the water logging spots and take necessary steps for speedy disposal of rainwater.
• Start de-watering pump sets if necessary.
• Traffic police need to be alerted for free flow of traffic and rescue vehicles/ vehicles carrying aids.
• Local police should be alerted for security and safety of people and property.
• Alert/ caution citizens residing along the coastal area if high tide exceeds 4.5 mtrs.
• Remove floating and accumulated materials immediately from seashore after high tide.
• Clear roads immediately of uprooted trees and fallen tree branches to ensure smooth vehicular traffic.
• Keep the updated list of dilapidated buildings and land slide prone locations in the ward readily available in the ward control room.
• Deploy extra manpower at ward control room, when alerts of heavy rains given by India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• If necessary, NGO laborers from registered NGO agencies shall be deployed by taking sanction of concerned competent authority.
• Keep the list of all updated important telephone contacts, ward disaster plan readily available in ward control room.
• Ward control room should be in contact with disaster control room at regular intervals.
• During normal situations in the Monsoon, EOC and ward control room manpower shall be utilized to carry out monsoon related work to avoid flooding.
• Undertake fogging at the water logged areas to prevent mosquito nuisance.
• Keep vigil and check various construction sites in the ward to confirm the appointment of doctors
  for regular health checkup of construction laborers.

Post Monsoon

• Prepare an after action report to identify lessons learnt and improvements needed.
• If new water logging spots are detected during monsoon period, find out the causes and inform the concerned authority to carry out necessary remedial work.
• Implement systematic programme for quick disposal of rain water.
• Remedial measures shall be taken to minimize water logging spots in ward so that fewer dewatering pumps need to be deployed during the monsoon.
• Evacuate affected persons due to floods and the habitat them in temporary shelters.
• Should ensure sufficient food supply and medical facilities in the temporary shelters.
• Ensuring restore water and power supply in the temporary shelters.

Source : Urban Flooding : Standard Operating Procedure- Ministry of Urban Development, GoI