DC Udhampur reviews disaster preparedness ; Emergency Operation Centre activated for inter-departmental coordination
UDHAMPUR, JULY 15: To take preventive measures in advance to deal with any eventuality of flash floods, landslide occurrence amid the monsoon, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Indu Kanwal Chib today chaired a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority and reviewed the preparedness of the departments.
The meeting was attended by ASP, Anwar Ul- Haq; Chief Planning Officer, Rajeev Bhushan; ACR, Viqar Giri; Senior officers from CRPF, BSF, besides Executive Engineers of PWD, PDD, PHE, UEED, Irrigation & Flood Control, Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, Deputy Controller, SDRF, CEO, MC and other officers.
A comprehensive plan was chalked out for tackling the untoward happening in the district after a thorough discussion.
The DC outlined the importance of interdepartmental coordination in dealing with any emergency. The need for effective flood prevention measures in vulnerable areas were stressed upon.
The meeting decided to activate Control rooms at all levels for sharing information and taking distress calls from the public for quick disaster response.
The DC directed PWD, PDD, PHE and flood control department to notify the roaster for flood duty to monitor the level of rivers and Nallahas. All the agencies were asked to keep their resources and manpower ready for any emergency. The DC said that the mock drill exercise will be conducted by District Administration within days.
The ACR and Tehsildars were directed to inspect the flood-prone locations in their respective area with the help of Lambardars and Chowkidars and take preventive measures. They were asked to stay vigilant and immediately report unusual rise of water levels in rivers and nallahas to the control room on a daily basis.
The DC informed that the District Administration would appoint nodal officers for monitoring the forecast threat of flash floods and cloud bursts in their respect of Jurisdiction.
Tabletop exercise, inventory of available resources and the manpower, SWOT were also discussed.
Meanwhile, to maintain close coordination among various departments and agencies to deal with any eventuality an Emergency Operation Centre (24 x 7) with contact numbers 01992-272727 and 01992-272728 was made functional under the close supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur. The representatives of CRPF, BSF and Army were asked to extend help to the District Administration during any emergency.
