Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan on Thursday reviewed the preparedness of departments and districts for the upcoming monsoon season at the Secretariat. During the meeting, he directed all departments to complete pre-monsoon preparations in a timely and effective manner and said that the public should not face any inconvenience during the monsoon period.
The Chief Secretary said that the coming months would be highly sensitive and challenging. Since the Char Dham Yatra is currently underway, all line departments must function in 24×7 alert mode. He directed the Public Works Department to ensure that all roads are made pothole-free before the onset of the monsoon and that damaged roads are repaired in time.
He instructed the electricity and drinking water departments to ensure timely maintenance and repair of power lines, transformers, and water supply lines so that electricity and water services are not disrupted for long durations during the monsoon.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed the Urban Development Department, municipal bodies, and district magistrates to ensure regular cleaning of drains and sewers. He clearly stated that waterlogging should not occur under any circumstances. He also instructed officials to remove encroachments and obstructions that hinder the natural flow of rivers and streams.
He said that special attention should be given to river channelization considering the sensitivity of riverbank areas. Riverbed material accumulated in river channels should be removed to maintain natural flow and prevent erosion-related damage to settlements and infrastructure.
The Chief Secretary instructed officials to deploy JCB machines in advance at sensitive locations for road-clearing operations and maintain adequate stock of Bailey bridges. He also directed that sufficient arrangements of boats and rescue vessels be ensured in flood-prone areas.
During the meeting, the Food and Civil Supplies Department was instructed to maintain adequate stock of essential commodities such as gas, ration supplies, food grains, diesel, and petrol. Departments were also asked to prepare advance strategies for distribution of relief materials during disasters.
The Chief Secretary directed the Health Department to prepare a detailed action plan to prevent possible infectious and water-borne diseases during the monsoon. He instructed officials to intensify fogging campaigns and keep health services on alert mode. He also directed that helicopter ambulance services should remain ready for emergencies.
Instructions were also issued to ensure regular testing of hydromet systems, sensors, and satellite phones. The Chief Secretary said that weather warnings and alerts must reach the public quickly, and maximum use should be made of the Sachet app and cell broadcast technology.
During the meeting, Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman informed that nodal officers from various departments had already been deployed at the State Emergency Operations Center and a coordinated monsoon action plan had been prepared.
