Now that the monsoon is on the head, the government has become active to deal with the challenges of disaster during this time. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed in a review meeting held at the Secretariat on Tuesday that all preparations should be completed before June 15 in view of the monsoon. All departments will ensure the deployment of nodal officers for disaster management by this period. He directed that safety audit of STP (sewage treatment plant) and old bridges should be done in the state. It should also be ensured that no accident occurs due to electric wires. In view of the monsoon season, he asked to keep a heli ambulance arrangement for patients and pregnant women in case of emergency. The Health Department will do the work of identifying pregnant women.
The Chief Minister said that a complete action plan should be presented on what were the challenges in the monsoon season in the past years, where more disasters occurred and what preparations have been made at the government and district level to deal with them. He said that it should be ensured that accurate information of weather forecast reaches on time during the rainy season and on this basis the general public is regularly kept on alert mode. Weather forecast and public awareness will help in reducing the impact of excessive rainfall and disaster.
SDRF battalion to be opened in Sariapani
The Chief Minister also directed to keep helicopter arrangements for quick relief and rescue work in view of the disaster. He also directed to open SDRF battalion in Sariapani of Almora. He said that in view of disaster management, proposals related to the demand of funds being made by the departments and District Magistrates should be considered quickly and released. He directed to keep the response time to a minimum for smooth arrangements in case of disruption of roads, electricity and drinking water lines during the monsoon period, as well as to make alternative arrangements and to complete the works of damage caused by excessive rainfall last year, which have not been completed yet, by June 15.
