BMC watches over Mumbai all night

While Mumbai slept last night, the BMC worked round the clock to monitor the weather. The civic body has stationed officers who will be available 24/7 in each ward in the wake of today's cyclone warning.

While Mumbai slept last night, the BMC worked round the clock to monitor the weather. The civic body has stationed officers who will be available 24/7 in each ward in the wake of today's cyclone warning.

"We have asked all the wards to station officers in each ward 24/7. We normally do this only during monsoons, but this was specially done keeping in mind the cyclone warning," said N D Kulkarni, sub-engineer for the Disaster Management Cell (DMC).

On Guard: BMC officers monitor the weather at the Disaster Management Cell last night.

"We have also kept extra staff at the DMC, located at the BMC's headquarters, today," added Kukrani, who was busy monitoring the weather.

When MiD DAY reached the DMC at 2 am, the tired officers were still on guard. They were watching different channels on the three TV sets in the room as well as the IMD data for the slightest changes. The IMD updates were arriving every 10 minutes.

The 11 officers, who worked through the night, were also expected to handle citizens' enquiries. The officers were braced for a deluge of calls, but were happy that things remained peaceful on that front.