Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 11 May: Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Madan Kaushik held a high-level review of state-level preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season at the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on Monday. The meeting included information on the preparations made by all districts and line departments to deal with potential disasters and emergencies during the monsoon season.
Cabinet Minister Kaushik stated that the monsoon season is extremely sensitive and challenging for Uttarakhand. While the monsoon season is about to begin in the state, the Chardham Yatra is also at its peak. In such a situation, there is no room for negligence or laxity. He urged all line departments, district administrations, police, SDRF, NDRF, and other agencies to work in complete coordination and on a 24×7 alert mode. He directed that upon receiving information about any disaster, relief and rescue teams should immediately reach the scene and initiate relief and rescue operations without wasting time.
He emphasised that response time is crucial in disaster management. He directed all departments to make their response mechanisms more effective and prompt. He also directed the launch of a special campaign to clean drains and sewers across the state. He stated that it is essential to ensure that drains and sewers are cleaned at least twice before the onset of the monsoon season to prevent waterlogging and urban flooding.
He directed that all necessary equipment, such as high-capacity pumps, motor boats, life jackets, rescue equipment, and communication resources, be fully operational to deal with potential waterlogging and flooding. He directed the police, SDRF, and NDRF to remain especially vigilant and proactive. He stated that teams should be pre-deployed as needed in sensitive areas, and that relief and rescue operations should not be delayed under any circumstances.
Vice Chairman, Advisory Committee, Disaster Management Department, Vinay Kumar Ruhela urged all District Magistrates to ensure adequate storage of food grains, rations, and other essential commodities in each district for the monsoon season. He asked them to maintain adequate stock of food grains, petrol, diesel, LPG and CNG so that the common people do not face any difficulty in case of disaster or road blockage.
Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary C Ravishankar, Secretary Ranveer Singh Chauhan, Secretary Anand Swaroop, IG Kumaon Riddhim Agarwal, IG Garhwal Rajiv Swaroop, IG Fire Sunil Meena, SCEO Administration Mahavir Singh Chauhan, ACEO Implementation DIG Rajkumar Negi, CEO UCADA Ashish Chauhan, Additional Secretary Abhishek Ruhela, Additional Secretary Home Tripti Bhatt, Santosh Badoni, Additional Secretary Garima Ronkali, CCF Sushant Patnaik, DG Health Dr Shikha Jangpangi, Chief Engineer, Public Works Department, Dayanand, Finance Controller Abhishek Kumar Anand, Director Meteorological Department Dr CS Tomar, JCEO Md Obaidullah Ansari, etc., were present in the meeting.
Minister Madan Kaushik gave instructions to establish medical posts in sensitive and disaster-prone areas in view of Chardham and monsoon. He said that adequate number of doctors, paramedical staff and essential medicines should be ensured there. He directed the Health Department to stockpile essential medicines adequately, especially in view of the potential for waterborne and infectious diseases during the monsoon season.
He directed the Animal Husbandry Department to form special Quick Response Teams (QRTs) for the treatment, rescue, and assistance to affected livestock in case of disasters. He stated that livestock is a vital pillar of the rural economy, and therefore, adequate arrangements should be made for the safety and treatment of animals.
Kaushik directed that data on pregnant women likely to deliver during the monsoon season be collected in advance. Necessary arrangements be made by identifying health centres for them, so that timely medical care can be provided even in the event of road blockages or disasters.
Minister Kaushik stated that given the increasing trekking activity in the state, the safety of trekkers should be a top priority. He directed the development of a trekking policy and detailed SOPs for the safety of trekkers. He stated that the relevant agencies and USDMA should have complete details of each trekker. Trekkers should have GPS, communication equipment, and other safety equipment so that in case of any emergency, their location can be tracked and immediate assistance can be provided.
Kaushik said that excessive silt accumulation in rivers is a major cause of floods and waterlogging during the monsoon season. He directed that channelisation of rivers by dredging them should be done before the onset of monsoon. He said that desilting work is also very important in the rivers located in the areas under the Forest Department. All departments should work in coordination with each other and, if necessary, effective advocacy should be done at the Forest Ministry level. He instructed the District Magistrates that, if any problem is faced in dredging work in forest areas, then it should be resolved immediately by establishing coordination at the government level.
