Palike Commissioner Siddaiah, recently chaired a meeting with all the zonal commissioners and engineers to chalk out strategies regarding rain preparedness.

He directed them to clean all major storm water drains, shoulder drains, cut the dry branches of trees and clear encroachments on storm water drains.

In the low-lying areas, the Palike will install notice board with contact numbers of the officers concerned. It was also decided in the meeting that major storm water drains on the sides of the roads and footpaths would be fenced to avoid untoward incidents.

The zonal chiefs of the Palike were directed to ensure that storm water drains were covered with stone slabs.

The Palike chief has appealed to the people not to allow children and elderly people to venture near storm water drains.

Call control room

In the event of flooding in low-lying areas, people should stay indoors and contact the BBMP control rooms if water gushes into their houses. People should not stand under the trees or besides the walls during heavy rainfall. They should also avoid touching electricity poles during heavy rain, Siddaiah advised.