Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 30 Aug: In view of the potential threat posed by glacier lakes in the state, the Minister, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Madan Kaushik, has directed the adoption of state-of-the-art technology available globally for monitoring and risk mitigation of glacier lakes.
On Sunday, he visited the State Emergency Operations Centre and obtained detailed information on the status and potential risks of glacial lakes in Uttarakhand.
The Minister stated that Uttarakhand is a geographically sensitive state and, given the impacts of climate change, scientific monitoring of changes in the condition of glaciers and glacial lakes is essential. He directed that modern technology be used for continuous and real-time monitoring of glacial lakes. The water level, size, waterlogging status, and potential changes in such lakes should be continuously monitored. To achieve this, the potential of satellite imagery, remote sensing, drones, sensor-based monitoring, and other modern technologies should be studied and adopted as needed.
The Minister directed that better coordination be established between the departments concerned, expert institutions, and technical agencies for monitoring glacial lakes. He said that early warning systems should be established where necessary to detect any unusual situation in time and alert people living in potentially affected areas.
Kaushik also conducted a detailed review of the continuous rainfall in the state and the resulting situation. He instructed that the safety of people’s lives is the state government’s top priority and that all departments should work in complete coordination and on a 24×7 alert mode to effectively deal with any potential disaster. He took detailed information on the rainfall situation across the state, river water levels, closed roads, landslide-affected areas, relief and rescue operations, electricity and drinking water supply, communication systems, and other essential services. Reviewing the rainfall in various districts, possible weather forecasts, and preparations for the coming days, he directed that every situation be continuously monitored and prompt action be taken in case of any emergency.
He directed the State Emergency Operations Centre to maintain constant coordination with all districts. He said that closed roads should be reopened as a priority, and adequate machinery should be pre-positioned at landslide-prone and sensitive locations. Adequate numbers of JCBs, Poclain machines, necessary equipment, and technical teams should be deployed in advance at locations where landslides or road blockages are more likely, so that traffic can be restored immediately in the event of a road blockage.
In addition to ensuring effective drainage in waterlogged areas, instructions were also given to ensure adequate availability of pumps and other necessary equipment. He urged all departments to work in coordination with each other, with utmost vigilance and sensitivity, to ensure prompt and effective response in the event of any disaster. He stated that restoration of electricity, drinking water, and communication services should be given top priority. If these services are affected, additional teams should be immediately dispatched and alternative arrangements should be implemented to provide essential services to the public.
He directed that all relevant departments, including the NDRF, SDRF, police, health, public works, electricity, drinking water, food and civil supplies, work in complete coordination in all districts. Adequate storage of food grains, medicines, fuel, and other essential commodities should be ensured in advance in remote and sensitive areas, so that local residents do not face any difficulties in the event of road closures.
The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman, State Disaster Management Advisory Committee, Vinay Ruhela, Vice Chairman, Lt Colonel (Retd) Raghuveer Singh Bhandari, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, Additional Chief Executive Officer, Implementation, DIG Rajkumar Negi, JCEO Dinesh Kumar Punetha, USDMA experts Dr Pooja Rana, Rohit Kumar, Pratibha Purohit, Mohit Mathur, etc. were present.
Yatra should be conducted based on weather & route conditions
Minister Madan Kaushi directed that the Yatra should be conducted keeping in mind the actual weather conditions. In case of heavy rainfall or road blockage, pilgrims should be stopped at safe places, provided with necessary facilities, and they should be allowed to proceed only after the situation normalises.
The Minister directed that people living in riverside areas should be continuously alerted and in case of any danger, they should be evacuated to safe places in time. He directed that in case of water release from dams and barrages, people living in downstream areas should be alerted by giving them prior notice. If required, border states should also be alerted in time so that any potential risk can be minimised.
The Minister said that, if the communication system is disrupted in any area due to heavy rain or landslide, then the alternative communication system should be activated immediately. He laid special emphasis on strengthening the alternative communication system in remote and inaccessible areas. He said that in case of disruption of mobile or other communication services due to natural calamity, alternative communication mediums should be immediately available so that there is no hindrance in relief and rescue operations.The Minister directed special monitoring of pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and those suffering from serious illnesses. He said that pregnant women living in vulnerable areas should be evacuated to safe places or places with medical facilities in a timely manner, as needed. He also stated that helicopter service should be made available where necessary. He categorically stated that under no circumstances should there be any loss of life due to lack of medical assistance.
The Minister also reviewed steps being taken on prevention of dengue in the state. Describing it as a top priority of the state government, he directed all municipal corporations, municipalities, town councils, and gram panchayats to launch a war-level campaign. He said that all waterlogged areas should be immediately identified and ensured to drain the water, and regular fogging, anti-larva spraying, and special sanitation campaigns should be conducted. Adequate arrangements for dengue testing kits, adequate medicines, blood availability, beds, and medical personnel should be ensured in all district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres.
