Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 18 Jun: Principal Secretary in charge of Dehradun district Dr R Meenakshi Sundaram chaired a comprehensive review meeting at the district collectorate today to review monsoon preparedness and disaster management arrangements in the district. During the meeting, he stressed that, in the monsoon, any disaster situation must be met with swift and coordinated response by all departments, with regular monitoring of sensitive sites, effective functioning of early warning systems and availability of relief and rescue resources at all times to minimise loss of life and property.
On this occasion, District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan and the officials from various departments presented detailed information on works undertaken in view of the monsoon and of the arrangements at vulnerable sites, mitigation measures in landslide‑prone areas and preparations based on last year’s experiences of flooding and disasters. Besides this, progress of the flood protection projects including the Song River scheme, safety works at Nanda Ki Chowki and river cleaning operations was also examined. The Principal Secretary directed that all the pending works be completed on priority before the onset of the monsoon and asked for timely action on matters related to mining activities.
The deployment plan for 39 de‑watering pumps to tackle waterlogging was reviewed, along with advance arrangements in vulnerable areas identified from last year’s damage assessments. A joint team of MDDA, PWD, Municipal Corporation, Irrigation Department and district administration was constituted to resolve the drainage problems in the ISBT area. Instructions were also issued to clean and improve the condition of 12 major drains in the city without delay. Data‑based analysis of short duration high intensity rainfall zones was also emphasised to identify potential waterlogging sites in advance. In addition, ongoing mitigation works in eight sensitive river and drain areas were reviewed with directions for regular monitoring and time‑bound action. Sundaram discussed in detail regarding 12 identified landslide zones and chronic slip zones, including Kimadi and he issued orders to prepare long‑term plans for permanent solutions and risk reduction. He further directed strengthening of monitoring and early warning systems in the cloudburst‑prone areas.
The condition of disaster‑prone schools was reviewed and the officials were asked to identify such institutions and ensure swift remedial measures. Sundaram stressed that sensitive areas must be inspected on site and both temporary and permanent solutions developed as required. Pregnant women residing in high‑risk zones must also be identified and provided with health services, safe mobility and necessary assistance in advance. The Health Department was directed to intensify campaigns against vector‑borne diseases such as dengue, malaria and chikungunya, conduct regular fogging, awareness programmes and monitoring of waterlogged sites. It was shared that leakage mapping has identified 18 points where repair work is in progress. It was also claimed that out of 169 drains in the district, cleaning has been completed at 153 and is ongoing in case of the remaining drains. It was informed that during the monsoon, 89 schools located near rivers and drains have been marked and 73 villages lacking connectivity have been identified and that the arrangements have been made to admit pregnant women from these villages to nearby hospitals in advance, where food and other facilities will be provided.
The Principal Secretary instructed timely action to prevent incidents of tree fall and identification of other dilapidated and risky trees for necessary measures. He directed that night shelters, relief camps and other disaster relief arrangements be also kept fully ready. He emphasised that the district disaster management authority’s war room and control room must remain active round the clock with effective inter‑departmental coordination.
The meeting also reviewed last year’s disaster damage, available financial resources, post‑disaster damage assessment reports and agricultural preparedness. The Agriculture Department was instructed to ensure timely availability and distribution of seeds and other inputs.
Following the meeting, Meenakshi Sundaram along with the DM and other senior officials also inspected disaster‑affected sites in Karligad and Majhada areas and reviewed the ongoing rehabilitation works, river channelisation and resettlement arrangements, and they also issued necessary directions.
During the meeting District Magistrate Ashish Chauhan, Municipal Commissioner Alok Kumar Pandey, Chief Development Officer Abhinav Shah, Superintendent of Police (City) Pramod Kumar, ADM (Administration) KK Mishra, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Manoj Kumar, Chief Education Officer Vinod Kumar Dhaundiyal, District Supply Officer (DSO) KK Agrawal, Executive Engineer Namit Ramola of Jal Sansthan and engineers from PWD, Irrigation, Drinking Water and Electricity departments were among those present.
