To effectively prevent and respond to potential flood situations during the pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons, Bengaluru East City Corporation Commissioner D.S. Ramesh convened an inter-departmental coordination meeting and announced the immediate formation of Sub-Division Level Urban Flood Management Teams across all sub-divisions.
The Commissioner stated that these teams, led by the respective Assistant Executive Engineers (AEE) of each sub-division, will function as key field-level units responsible for preparedness, flood prevention, emergency response, and restoration of infrastructure.
Multi-Department Coordinated Team
The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) of the respective sub-division will function as the overall nodal officer for the sub-division-level urban flood management team. The team will comprise Junior/Assistant Engineers of the sub-division, BWSSB sub-division representatives, BESCOM sub-division representatives, Traffic Police Inspector/Sub-Inspector within the sub-division jurisdiction, Forest Officer, Health Inspectors, Revenue Inspectors, Disaster Management/Emergency Response Nodal Officer, Control Room/IT/Communication Nodal Officer, Railway Department Nodal Officer (in areas covering railway underpasses or rail corridors), along with other co-opted officials as required by the AEE. Each sub-division has thus formed a coordinated team involving representatives from all major departments, with specific responsibilities assigned to ensure effective flood prevention, preparedness, emergency response, and infrastructure restoration.
Key Responsibilities
Role of the AEE Leading the Sub-Division Committee
The Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) will be personally responsible for planning, supervision, coordination, and emergency response related to all flood management activities within the sub-division. Specifically, the AEE must ensure the following:
* Prepare a sub-division flood vulnerability register containing details of all flood-prone roads, junctions, underpasses, drains, lakes, culverts, and low-lying areas.
* Maintain all SWDs, secondary drains, roadside drains, culverts, inlet and outlet points, and lake-connected drainage channels in proper condition.
* Complete desilting and clearance of all major canals and roadside drains before the onset of the monsoon season.
* Complete all pending and ongoing drainage works within the sub-division.
* Identify regular waterlogging locations and ensure deployment of pumps and dewatering equipment.
* Prepare detailed micro-plans for all critical flood-prone locations within the sub-division.
* Coordinate with BWSSB, BESCOM, Traffic Police, Railways, Forest/Horticulture Department, Lake Division, Revenue Department, and Disaster Management authorities.
* Ensure daily monitoring of field works and submission of progress reports to the Executive Engineer.
* Ensure all teams are fully deployed and all equipment is maintained in a ready state.
* Personally conduct field inspections at critical locations and maintain communication and escalation matrices.
BWSSB Nodal Officer
* Identify and rectify trench-cut areas, pipeline crossings, manholes, and utility obstructions along water supply lines that impact drains or roads.
* Ensure trench restoration is completed without delay.
* Reconstruct or restore roadside drains damaged due to pipeline works.
* Coordinate with the sub-division AEE before undertaking any road excavation during the monsoon preparedness period.
* Deploy technical staff for emergency response in waterlogged areas caused by utility or service failures.
BESCOM Nodal Officer
* Ensure uninterrupted power supply to all fixed pumps, portable pumps, control centers, and water removal points.
* Inspect vulnerable electrical lines, poles, and junction boxes in flood-prone areas and take necessary action.
* Rectify loose electrical connections that may pose a public safety risk during rains.
* Coordinate DG backup and temporary emergency power supply wherever required.
* Arrange for emergency relocation, isolation, and restoration of electrical poles and infrastructure.
Traffic Police Nodal Officer
* Identify roads and junctions requiring traffic diversions during flooding or drainage works.
* Support closure and regulation of hazardous underpasses, RUBs, and low-lying roads.
* Prepare plans for managing peak-hour traffic congestion during flood situations.
* Coordinate with the AEE for barricading, signage, and alternate route arrangements.
Forest Officer
* Survey leaning, dry, or hazardous trees and branches that may fall during the monsoon season.
* Prioritize cutting, trimming, and removal of dangerous trees.
* Monitor trees that may obstruct drains, culverts, roads, or pump access points.
* Coordinate with BESCOM in areas where tree branches may affect power lines.
* Maintain a rapid-response tree-cutting team for emergency deployment.
Health Inspectors
* Ensure immediate removal and disposal of silt, garbage, weeds, and debris cleared from drains.
* Take action to prevent dumping of waste into drains,SWDs, and lakes.
* Provide manpower, vehicles, and loaders wherever drain cleaning operations are undertaken.
* Maintain sanitation around flood-prone areas, pumping points, and waterlogged locations.
* Coordinate with engineers for emergency garbage clearance at block spots.
Revenue Inspectors
* Assist in removing obstructions on public land required for drainage works or flood mitigation projects.
* Provide land details and survey records for land acquisition or transfer wherever necessary.
* Coordinate with the AEE in cases involving encroachment-related land issues.
* Identify government land boundaries related to drainage connections and lake-linked canals.
* Assist in matters related to road widening and drainage connectivity.
Disaster Management Nodal Officer
* Prepare emergency response support for situations involving heavy rainfall and flooding.
* Assist in deployment of emergency teams, rescue support, alert dissemination, and public safety measures.
* Coordinate with the control room and field engineers during emergencies.
* Maintain liaison with fire and emergency services whenever required.
* Conduct mock drills and create public awareness on monsoon preparedness measures.
Electrical Nodal Officer
* Prepare, maintain, and ensure readiness of all pumps, generators, starter panels, cables, hoses, and related equipment.
* Ensure operational testing of all fixed and portable dewatering pumps.
* Deploy pumps in waterlogged areas as per the approved micro-plan.
* Maintain preparedness of fuel, spare parts, and standby equipment.
* Ensure emergency repair support in case of pump failure.
Railway Nodal Officer (where applicable)
* Coordinate drainage and water removal systems in railway underpasses and adjoining routes.
* Address issues related to culverts, trackside drainage, and railway structures that impact local flooding.
* Facilitate joint inspections in areas such as RUBs (Road Under Bridges) and railway crossings.
* Organize emergency response measures during flooding in railway-connected locations.
* Share technical inputs regarding drainage obstructions near railway properties.
Control Room/IT/Communication Nodal Officer
* Maintain flood-point registers, contact lists, equipment inventories, and reports
* Ensure 24/7 communication during alerts
* Receive and route complaints
* Maintain records of rainfall events, waterlogging complaints, and response times
* Disseminate alerts and field instructions
Strict Warning to Officials
The Commissioner warned that Superintendent Engineers of each zone will closely monitor team performance, and any negligence or delay in pre-monsoon preparedness will invite strict disciplinary action against concerned officials.
The Commissioner emphasized that this proactive system will prioritize prevention over response, ensuring citizen safety and infrastructure protection through accountability, coordination, and swift action.
The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioners Lokhande Snehal Sudhakar, Chief Engineers, Executive Engineers, Assistant Executive Engineers, and officials from BESCOM, BWSSB, Police, Railways, Forest Department, and other concerned departments.