PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Disaster Management minister Madan Kaushik directed officials to ensure immediate response in case of disaster scenarios. Chairing a meeting to review preparations for the monsoon on Monday, Kaushik said that the rainy season is a very sensitive and challenging period for Uttarakhand. He pointed out that the Char Dham Yatra is at its peak at a time when the monsoon is about to arrive in the State. No negligence or casual attitude can be tolerated in such a situation. He directed all linear departments, district administrations, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and other agencies to remain in an alert mode 24×7.
Stating that response time is vital in disaster management, Kaushik directed all departments to make their response mechanism more effective and swifter. Special focus should be laid on cleaning all nalas and drains in the State through a special campaign. All the nalas and drains in the State should be cleaned at least twice before the advent of monsoon to mitigate waterlogging and floods in urban areas, he said.
The minister further said that the availability of all necessary equipment and machinery in working condition should be ensured for tackling situations in areas prone to waterlogging and in case of floods. He said that the police, SDRF and NDRF should especially remain alert and active.
The minister further said considering the Char Dham Yatra and monsoon, medical posts should be established in sensitive and disaster prone locations. Adequate number of doctors, paramedical staff and essential medicines should be ensured in such posts. Laying special focus on the possibility of water borne and contagious diseases during monsoon, necessary medicines and adequate preparation by the Health department must also be ensured, he said.
Kaushik directed the Animal Husbandry department to form a special quick response team for assisting cattle to ensure their rescue and treatment during disaster scenarios. Proper arrangements should be made for the safety and treatment of cattle since they are also an important part of the rural economy, he said. The minister also issued directions related to issuance of standard operating procedures for the safety of trekkers and channelisation of rivers before the advent of monsoon.
The department’s advisory committee vice chairman Vinay Rohila said that all district magistrates should ensure adequate quantity of foodgrains, ration and other essential commodities for the monsoon in their districts.
