Bhubaneswar, July 8(OT Webdesk): In a decisive move to combat chronic urban flooding, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched Rapid Action Teams (RATs)—specialised units trained for swift drainage response during the monsoon.
Each unit comprises four personnel equipped with mobile vans, pump sets, and essential drainage tools.
The initiative, formally introduced by Mayor Sulochana Das, comes on the heels of growing public outrage.
The tipping point occurred on July 4, when residents of Badagada waded through knee-deep water following torrential rainfall, leading to temporary evacuations and direct confrontation with BMC Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil during his site visit.
Positioned across all three municipal zones, these RATs are expected to respond within minutes to reported waterlogging.
Describing them as the “frontline soldiers against urban flooding,” Mayor Das emphasised the need for real-time intervention as part of the city’s broader monsoon preparedness strategy.
“The public deserves quick and competent action,” she said. “These teams will act as first responders, working closely with ward officials and leveraging citizen reports.”
While public reaction remains cautiously optimistic, the effectiveness of RATs will be closely watched as monsoon challenges intensify.
As Bhubaneswar grapples with climate-induced weather extremes, the RAT initiative signals a potential shift toward proactive flood governance.
