Belagavi City Corporation has begun monsoon preparation, like cleaning clogged drains and removing obstacles in storm-water drainage.

Corporation Commissioner Karthik M. inspected work in various parts of the city on May 28 and 29.

He told officers to complete all the work as per schedule, as pre-monsoon showers are expected to hit the city in the next two weeks.

“Every monsoon, parts of the city suffer waterlogging, and rainwater enters houses in low-lying areas. We have received complaints from several residents. Some corporation members have suggested that we take up and complete the work of cleaning drains and other infrastructure. We have started the work early and hope to finish it soon,” he said.

“This will help us solve the problem of drains filling during the rainy season and water flowing onto the roads. The corporation has taken other preventive actions like identifying and cleaning debris on roads and streetside gutters, removing garbage dumps that could impede water flow.

“In association with the Forest Department, a team of officers is removing trees that are expected to uproot in heavy rain and gusty winds. They can obstruct the flow of sewage water, or fall on electricity wires, and pose a danger to commuters,” he said.

He has appealed to the people to participate in the city cleanliness survey under the Swachh Sarvekshan Abhiyan.

The Union Government started Swachh Bharat Mission in 2016. Its main objective is to create clean cities based on feedback from residents. Clean cities are selected and rewarded. Belagavi city has featured in the list of clean cities in Karnataka several times in the past.

This year, 20,339 people from the city have participated in the campaign, and expressed their opinions. “Our target is to reach at least 5% of the population,” he said.

The Swachh Bharat Mission website or mobile application has five questions in total, about issues like garbage and toilets. Representatives of the campaign from the corporation will visit various institutions and public places to seek opinion of people, he said.