The civic body's disaster management cell has gone all out to tackle the impending monsoon - with cameras at flooding spots, digital tickers, hotline numbers, and, for the first time, a combined defence force headed by the naval command.

"The unified command consisting of the Army, Navy and Air Force headed by the Navy, has been dedicated for disaster management in the city. The Navy has promised us six teams - equipped with life jackets, inflatable boats, helipads, kayaks - to help us tide over disasters more efficiently," said S.S. Shinde, deputy municipal commissioner, who heads the disaster management operations. About 1,100 workers of the disaster management cell will support the forces.

The Indian Airforce, with 63 personnel, has assured the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to reach any disaster sit uation in less than 30 minutes by helicopters, depending on the visibility factor.

"We are also coordinating with the traffic police to share live footages from about 88 cameras in the city, of which 25 are at chronic flooding spots. We will be able to see all the spots live at our main disaster control room," Shinde said.

With less than a fortnight to go for the rains, the 73-people strong disaster control room in the BMC building has been buzzing with dry runs.

The cell, headed by Vilas Vaidya, is equipped to handle an average of 1,000 calls from citizens.

The room also has 11 hotlines numbers connecting it to the chief minister's office, the Army, Navy, Air Force, Railways, ward offices and others to keep information flowing. "In case a citizen calls on 108, we will see to it that help is directed to him immediately. Information coming in from the hotlines will be passed on to media and citizens who call in," said Vaidya.

"We have 10 computer operators working in three shifts of eight hours each, which could be extended to 48 hours in case of disasters. No one leaves until the next person comes," said Vaidya. "We also have beds to take rest in case the shifts are extended," said computer operator Vijay Jagtap, who has been with the department for seven years.

Phones have already been ringing in the cell with citizens complaining about choked drains, stinking nullahs and damaged roads.

The room also has three television sets flashing latest news and a digital ticker indicating the amount of rainfall on any given day .

sayli.mankikar@hindustantimes.com The men in control Name: S.S. Shinde Designation: Deputy Municipal Commissioner, Disaster Management Job profile: He is the foreman in the BMC who is responsible for coordinating the disaster control functions in the city.

Name: Vilas Vaidya Designation: Chief of Disaster Control Cell, BMC Job Profile: He coordinates communication lines for disaster relief from the central disaster management cell at the BMC headquarters.