DC Manvendra Pratap Singh reviews flood preparedness in Sonitpur district

A Correspondent

Tezpur: A flood preparedness meeting was convened by the District Disaster Management Committee at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Wednesday. The meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh in the presence of ADC, Sonitpur, Satyajit Chetia, Liza Talukdar, discussed various aspects related to flood preparedness in the district ahead of the ensuing monsoons.

At the very outset, District Project Officer, DDMA, Partha Pratim Sarma gave a detailed overview of the flood scenario of the district highlighting the areas prone to flooding in the monsoon season and other related issues faced during floods. Deputy Commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh directed all Circle Officers present to prepare a detailed circle level plan keeping in mind the issues faced during floods last year and submit it within four weeks so that the district plan could be prepared accordingly. He asked them to include all stakeholders concerned at the circle level in preparing the disaster mitigation plans. The Deputy Commissioner also directed them to prepare a comprehensive list of all resources that might be required during floods.

The Deputy Commissioner asked all departments concerned to be well-prepared to tackle any eventuality and directed them to prepare individual action plans for handling flood situations, including pre-flood preparedness and post-flood management scenarios. He directed them to identify the various problems as faced in previous years and seek practical solutions to the same in order to prevent loss of life. The Deputy Commissioner warned of strict action against those failing to meet the instructions issued on time.

Deputy Commissioner Manvendra Pratap Singh laid special emphasis on creating child-friendly spaces in flood-affected areas so that these children do not fall prey to trafficking or untoward incidents. He also directed DPO, DDMA to include the concept of child-friendly spaces as a permanent feature in the district disaster management plan.

The issue of waterlogging in municipal areas in the district due to artificial blockage of natural drainage channels was also taken up in the meeting. The Deputy Commissioner instructed all Circle Officers to demolish all such structures built illegally over natural drains as laid down in the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. He also instructed the municipal bodies to clean all drains in their respective areas before March 31.

The Deputy Commissioner also asked all concerned to carry out flood damage assessment expeditiously and submit such reports within the stipulated time so that the proposals could be sent to the government for necessary sanction without delay.

Issues related to the distribution of flood relief material, drinking water supply, medicine stock, and health services, boat and ferry services, designated stores for storing flood relief material, pre-flood vaccination, regulation of power supply, among others were discussed during the meeting. ZPC president Dolly Surin, Additional SP Olindita Gogoi, senior district administration officials and heads of various government departments took part in the meeting.

Also Read: Special campaign for PM KISAN beneficiaries organized in Sonitpur district

Also Watch: IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals to conduct camp in Guwahati from today, click here to see the video