Deputy Commissioner Reasi Kumar Abhishek, who is also Chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, today chaired a meeting to review preparedness and response measures for the monsoon season across the district. The Deputy Commissioner assessed the preparedness of all departments in dealing with potential challenges arising from heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, waterlogging and disruption of essential services.
Coordinated efforts among departments are required to ensure public safety and minimise inconvenience to residents during the monsoon season. The DC instructed officers concerned to conduct field visits to all vulnerable locations and inspect drainage channels and watercourses.
He directed that blocked channels should be cleared immediately to ensure smooth flow of rainwater and prevent waterlogging, flooding and damage to public infrastructure. All executing agencies were further directed to keep required machinery and equipment deployed in advance so that restoration and relief operations can be undertaken without delay in case of heavy rainfall or landslides.
The DC directed that preventive and mitigation works should be undertaken on priority, with all necessary measures completed before the peak monsoon period. Road connectivity to Katra must remain uninterrupted under all circumstances to ensure the pilgrimage to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji continues smoothly without inconvenience to devotees.
Executive Engineer JPDCL and Executive Engineer Jal Shakti Department briefed the chair on preparedness measures being undertaken by their departments for the monsoon season, including availability of manpower, emergency response teams, equipment and contingency plans to address disruption in essential services.
SDMs and Tehsildars briefed the DC on vulnerable locations within their respective jurisdictions and preparedness measures undertaken to tackle any eventuality during the monsoon season. The DC directed all departments to submit damage and relief assessment reports within the stipulated time to ensure prompt processing and disbursal of relief assistance to affected beneficiaries and to submit temporary restoration proposals without delay for timely release and utilisation of funds.
SDRF teams were directed to be deployed in Mahore to strengthen emergency response capabilities and provide immediate assistance in the event of any disaster. Officers concerned were further directed to identify houses located in vulnerable and high-risk areas and, wherever necessary, shift residents to safer locations to safeguard lives and property.
The concerned departments were also directed to ensure availability and timely supply of sufficient ration and other essential commodities in remote and vulnerable areas. The BRO was directed to install adequate warning signages at all vulnerable points and landslide-prone stretches to enhance public safety and facilitate smooth movement of traffic during the monsoon season.
Officers concerned were directed to establish control rooms at district as well as sub-divisional levels to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and prompt response to any emergency during the monsoon season. Among those present were ADDC Krishan Lal, ADC Rakesh Kumar, CPO Narinder Kumar, ACR, ACD and other officers concerned.