GVMC Provides 24/7 Emergency Response During Rain
Major storm drains have been inspected and de-silted, and de-siltation work is ongoing to ensure uninterrupted rainwater flow
Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has implemented extensive measures to ensure the safety of residents and the continuity of essential services during the rain. Commissioner Ketan Garg and mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, along with corporators, zonal officers, and GVMC officials, are actively touring cyclone-affected wards to remain accessible to the public and coordinate relief operations.
According to Ketan Garg, to prevent traffic disruptions, GVMC teams have cleared 28 uprooted trees and deployed five rapid action response teams to address landslides, fallen electric poles, and other hazards promptly. Major storm drains have been inspected and de-silted, and de-siltation work is ongoing to ensure uninterrupted rainwater flow. Additionally, a local contractor with pumps and machinery is tackling water stagnation in low-lying areas.
Zonal officers are also engaged in the daily cleaning of manholes and high-flow channels, removing road and drain waste to designated dumping sites. The Town Planning wing has started removing unsecured hoardings to prevent collapses due to strong winds. In vulnerable hillside and flood-prone communities, structurally compromised buildings have been identified, and residents have been safely relocated to GVMC community halls and schools. Flexi-signs and patrols warn citizens against risky crossings and illegal activities in swollen waterways.
To maintain public utilities, a team of 280 electrical workers is monitoring street lighting around the clock, restoring outages as soon as the rain intensity subsides. Water tankers and backup generators have been arranged to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water during power interruptions, and stocks of chlorine and alum are reserved to prevent waterborne diseases. Adequate fuel supplies and the readiness of JCBs, trucks, tippers, and other equipment ensure the rapid deployment of relief operations.
Control rooms in each zonal office are connected to the City Operation Centre at GVMC headquarters, where public complaints are logged and dispatched to the relevant teams. Since the issuance of the cyclone warning, the command centre has received 97 calls on the toll-free number, resolved 94 of them, and is currently processing the remaining requests. Commissioner Ketan Garg stated, “Our goal is zero inconvenience and zero casualties.”
