Mumbai proves its again

Its good to see community participation in disaster preparedness at times.. As we all know "People's memory is very short" is valid for a small disaster or if it happens to some other community.. I might forget a Tsunami after say 5years but the person who was there when tsunami happen will never forget in his life.. not just the sight of the horrifying waves but also the loss of his dear ones and the shock of seeing so many people lying around distressed.. Similarly the communities in mumbai are gearing up for the monsoons this year. It is a very good sign and i hope every community prepares well and decrease the extent of loss this year.. All de best for the disaster managers..

http://www.gulfnews.com/world/India/10129900.html

Mumbaikars equip themselves to tackle floods this monsoon
ANI

Mumbai: The people of Mumbai are all geared up for the monsoon this year.

They have arranged disaster management kits to better equip themselves to tackle floods in the city.

With memories still fresh in their minds of the 2005 floods in which more than 1,000 people were killed across Maharashtra, Mumbaikars are bracing themselves for the June-September rains.

Residents of several colonies have taken steps to ensure that they are not caught off guard this year.

In Chembur, residents of Pestorm Sagar, a locality of 120 buildings, have set up a forum to reach help to people immediately in the instance of a flood.

The forum has put together a disaster management kit, which comprises life jackets, lifebuoys, oxygen tanks, fogging machines, stretchers and first aid. There is also a dedicated jeep that will be used for rescue missions.

The forum, which has doctors on panel and people trained in rescue operations and first aid, says it is not entirely dependant on municipal authorities.

In neighbouring Air India Colony, one of the worst hit localities of the 2005 deluge, residents have taken upon themselves to deal with a crisis in the absence of an initiative from the housing society.

Traumatic experience

For the Kawale family, who lives on the ground floor, traumatic memories persist. Unable to move to higher ground, they are leaving nothing to chance, and have packed some of their belongings in case of an emergency.

"We have packed our clothes, certificates, important documents, books of our children and uniform so that in case anything happens we will just pick it up and go to the top," said Veena Kawale.

In July 2005, two days of heavy rain killed hundreds of people and caused widespread damage, closing down the city for a week.