Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The Superintendent of Police (SP) in a rapidly urbanizing city faces a critical situation due to intense monsoon rains, which have overwhelmed the city’s drainage system, causing waterlogging.

• An urgent distress call reports flooding in a gym basement of a high-rise building, trapping several people inside.
• The SP must quickly coordinate rescue operations, manage the panicking crowd, and implement measures to mitigate the impact of the waterlogging to ensure public safety.

Body

1. What are the stakeholders involved in this situation?

2. What will be your immediate course of action to manage the rescue operations and ensure public safety?

• Situation Assessment and Resource Mobilization
  • Rapid Assessment: Leading the quick response team to the location to assess the situation accurately.
    • The team should identify the number of trapped individuals, the depth of water, the building's structural stability, and the overall accessibility to the basement.
  • Resource Allocation: Simultaneously, lead to the activation of the district disaster management plan in coordination with the District Magistrate.
    • Mobilize fire brigade, disaster response force, and specialized rescue teams equipped with diving gear and life-saving equipment.
    • Coordinate with the municipal authorities to deploy high-capacity submersible pumps, emergency lights and other drainage equipment to the site.
  • Coordination: Establish a unified command center in close proximity to the incident site to coordinate rescue efforts, communication, and resource management.
  • Communication: Establish clear communication channels with all agencies involved, including the fire brigade, disaster response force, medical teams, and building management.
  • Public Information: Disseminate accurate and timely information to the public to prevent panic and misinformation.
    • Use social media, local media, and public address systems for effective communication.
• Rescue Operations and Crowd Management
  • Prioritize Rescue: The primary objective is to rescue the trapped individuals. The rescue teams should prioritize those in immediate danger and work systematically to evacuate everyone.
    • Liaise with electricity providers to cut power supply to the flooded areas to prevent electrocution risks.
    • If safe, attempt to pump out water directly from the basement while simultaneously working on breaching entry points.
    • Consider alternative entry points such as windows or creating openings in walls if the main door is inaccessible.
      • Evaluate the structural integrity of the building to prevent potential collapse.
  • Crowd Control: Deploy adequate police personnel to manage the crowd outside the building.
    • Establish barricades to maintain a safe distance and prevent interference with rescue operations.
  • Medical Assistance: Ensure the presence of medical teams on standby to provide immediate medical attention to rescued individuals.
    • Coordinate with nearby hospitals to prepare for potential admissions.
• Post-Rescue Operations:
  • Thorough Search of Premise: Once the immediate rescue is complete, initiate a thorough search of the premises to ensure no one is left behind.
    • Coordinate with building management and relevant authorities to secure the premises and prevent looting or unauthorized entry.
  • Legal and Administrative Actions: Document the incident thoroughly, including photographs, witness statements, and damage assessments.
    • Initiate legal proceedings against the building management and local authorities.

3. What long-term measures can be implemented to prevent such incidents in the future?

• Regulatory Framework Enhancement: Coordinate with the district development authority or revise building bylaws to have:
  • Automated flood barrier systems for basement entrances.
  • Elevated electrical systems in basements (at least 1 meter above the highest recorded flood level)
  • Mandatory installation of non-return valves in drainage systems
• NOC and Compliance Mechanism: Suggest relevant authorities to implement a single window digital NOC tracking system for real-time monitoring of building compliances.
  • Introduce a tiered NOC system based on risk zones:
    • Tier 1 (High Risk): Annual renewals with quarterly inspections
    • Tier 2 (Moderate Risk): Biennial renewals with semi-annual inspections
    • Tier 3 (Low Risk): Triennial renewals with annual inspections
• Exit Infrastructure Upgrades: Mandate installation of flood-resistant exit doors in basements.
  • Require buildings to have at least two independent exit routes from basements.
• Emergency Response Protocols: Develop a city-wide Incident Command System (ICS) for flood emergencies.
  • Create a centralized Emergency Operations Center with real-time data integration from various departments.
• Building Information Modeling (BIM): Mandate BIM for all new constructions above a certain size, integrating flood resilience features.
• Training and Capacity Building: Conduct regular tabletop exercises and mock drills for various flooding scenarios.
  • Provide specialized training for first responders on swift water rescue techniques.
• Regular Audits and Maintenance: Conduct periodic audits of existing drainage infrastructure.
  • Implement a rigorous schedule for cleaning and maintaining storm drains, especially before monsoon seasons.

Conclusion

Building on the lessons from this critical incident, the city must pivot towards a future-focused flood resilience strategy. This approach will integrate smart urban planning and community engagement to transform current vulnerabilities into opportunities for innovation. By fostering a culture of advanced preparedness, the city can set new benchmarks in urban flood management.