Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Aug: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan today visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) here and conducted a detailed review of the situation arising out of continuous rainfall across Uttarakhand. He made it clear that safeguarding public life is the foremost priority of the government and instructed all departments to work in full coordination on a round‑the‑clock alert mode to deal effectively with any potential disaster.
Bardhan sought detailed information from Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman on rainfall conditions across the state, river water levels, blocked roads, landslide‑affected areas, relief and rescue operations, electricity and drinking water supply, communication systems and other essential services. Reviewing rainfall in various districts, weather forecasts and preparedness for the coming days, the CS directed that every situation be closely monitored and immediate action ensured in case of emergencies. He instructed the SEOC to maintain constant coordination with all the districts and personally spoke to the district magistrates over telephone to assess the conditions and issue necessary directions. He also stressed that the blocked roads must be reopened on priority, adequate machinery be deployed in landslide‑prone and sensitive locations, effective drainage ensured in waterlogged areas and pumps and other equipment kept in sufficient numbers.
The CS also observed that the government is keeping a continuous watch on the monsoon situation. He directed district magistrates to regularly undertake field visits, personally inspect sensitive areas and monitor relief and rescue arrangements. He also reviewed the arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra, Kanwar Yatra and Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, taking stock of the road conditions, the landslide‑prone spots, the pilgrim numbers, the facilities at shrines and traffic management. He emphasised that the Char Dham Yatra is linked both to faith and the economy of the state, and therefore safety of pilgrims, smooth movement, medical facilities, drinking water, sanitation and traffic management must not suffer any lapse. He instructed that the Yatra be conducted strictly in accordance with prevailing weather conditions, and in case of heavy rainfall or road blockages, the pilgrims must be halted at the safe locations with necessary facilities until the conditions normalise. He directed all the departments concerned to work with complete alertness and sensitivity in coordination so that immediate and effective action is ensured in any disaster situation.
Bardhan also directed round‑the‑clock monitoring of river water levels. He said people living in riverine areas must be continuously made aware and shifted to safe places in case of danger. He instructed that whenever water is released from dams or barrages, downstream residents must be alerted in advance and, if required, neighbouring states also informed in time to minimise risk.
He further directed that communication, electricity and drinking water services be restored without delay. In case of any disruption due to the heavy rainfall or landslides, alternative communication systems must be activated immediately, satellite phones kept functional at all the time and daily contact be maintained between SEOC and DEOC through them. He said restoration of electricity, drinking water and communication services must be treated as top priority, with additional teams to be rushed wherever required and alternative arrangements made so that citizens are not deprived of basic facilities for long.
The CS also instructed that all the weather warnings and alerts must reach even the last person in remote areas on time. He reminded that timely information enables people to take safe decisions, hence there must be no delay in dissemination. He directed strengthening of the information transmission system from the state to district, block, tehsil and village level so that every citizen receives reliable warnings promptly and loss of life during disasters is minimised.
Among those present at the meeting were SCEOC, Implementation, DIG Rajkumar Negi, JCEO Dinesh Kumar Punetha, Duty Officer Kalam Singh Chauhan, Bhawani Ram Arya and others.
