Expressing serious concern over water logging and non-availability of drinking water in various parts of Maharashtra during the recent rains, the Bombay high court on Wednesday asked the government to explain what steps it had taken to prevent outbreak of epidemics in flood-hit areas.

Hearing a public interest litigation filed by a group of television and Bollywood personalities, the Bench comprising Chief
Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice S F Vajifdar asked the government to give priority to collection of garbage to prevent epidemics.

Chief Justice Dalveer Bhandari and Justice S J Vazifdar said there was a fear of greater disaster if an epidemic breaks out after the deluge in the city and the state government should give priority to relief works to avoid it.

• Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity

Adjourning the PIL for further hearing on August 17, the court also suggested the petitioners to suggest a few non governmental organisations in consultation with the advocate general, which would assist the government and coordinate in collection and disbursement of funds to the victims without delay.

The advocate general informed the court that the state government has already planned its disaster management and formed a team of 133 doctors to prevent epidemics.

The Bench suggested the state to form a high-power disaster management cell to tackle such situations.

Terrible Tuesday: Mumbai copes with a calamity
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