GHMC learns from Mumbai tragedy

Hyderabad: Tuesday’s wall collapse in Mumbai heavy rain that left 27 dead and another incident which happened last week in Pune in which 15 were killed have prompted the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation to carry out a survey of the retention walls and compound walls in the hilly areas of the city.

The survey is being carried out in Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Goshamahal and other areas where there is a possibility of wall and building collapses due to heavy rain.

Retention walls are found to accumulate water on one side due to faulty construction. They give way when there is heavy accumulation of water, leading to a collapse. The GHMC is carrying out a survey to list out such ‘critical areas’.

GHMC zonal commissioner Musharraf Faruqui said, “The survey will help us identify vulnerable areas and prepare to deal with them. Monsoon alerts have been sent to all departments. Apart from the retaining walls, notices have also been issued regarding dilapidated buildings.”

He said 70 dilapidated  buildings had been demolished so far. A notice has been sent to 256 buildings in the city. The owners of many other buildings have been told to make structural changes within a stipulated time.  “If not done then they will too face action,” he said.

The GHMC has issued a blanket order barring cellar excavation cellars during the monsoon season. Officials have been asked to check these critical areas and ensure that there is no activity there.

Officials have been asked to be alert for emergency situations during the monsoon season and to be alert to the messages being issued by the Indian Meteoro-logical Department especially during the rain.

With climate change causing very heavy much rain in a short period of time, the GHMC officials have been asked to take preventive action as well as respond quickly to untoward events.