Principal Secretary (Revenue and Disaster Management) Onkar Chand Sharma held a meeting here today with senior officers of various departments to take stock of the preparedness for drought like situation during this year. The Deputy Commissioners of all districts participated through video conference.Shri Onkar Sharma revealed that rainfall data of all districts have been analyzed and there is deficiency of 49 percent in the State (post monsoon). As per the information provided by meteorological department, there is chance of scattered/light to moderate rainfall during 23-24 January, 2018 throughout the State. He said there is no impact on the Rabi crops as there was sufficient rainfall in the districts during December, 2017. He directed to prepare and review the drought contingency plan of the district with the support of concerned stakeholders.The Principal Secretary said there has been no impact on the drinking water sector. All the field functionaries have been directed to prepare the contingency plan to combat the drought like situations. IPH department is having 45 drinking water supply testing labs in the state, where regular sampling testing is being done.
The department has successfully completed the cleaning of all water storage tanks in the State.He directed all the Deputy Commissioners to ensure water quality testing randomly up to the sub division level. All the districts were also directed to take remedial measures to stop contamination of drinking water at the source and to start the super chlorination process in the districts to prevent water borne diseases like Jaundice.It was informed that there is no deficiency in the moisture level due to rainfall in the districts, however, if, same pattern continues for the next two weeks then it will impact the moisture level.Shri Sharma said all Deputy Commissioners and the departments concerned have been informed in advance to prepare the contingency plan, to tackle drought like situation. They have also been directed to make necessary arrangements of the water tankers in water scarce areas as well as fodder for livestock’s.Special Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Shri D.C. Rana, Director, Indian Meteorological Department Shri Manmohan Singh, Chief Engineer of IPH Department, senior officers from Horticulture and Agriculture were also present during the meeting.