Himachal Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena while reviewing the preparedness of ensuing monsoon meeting on Thursday, directed Deputy Commissioners to find a suitable place to set up small units of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) at Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Chamba and Kullu for which necessary direction have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts to find a suitable place to set up the NDRF Units.

He also directed to shift the migrant labourers residing along with the river banks so that in case of adversity as did happen last year precious lives could be saved well in time.  He also directed the Civil Supplies Corporation to ensure stocking of adequate food grains to meet the demands of the people during any disaster, if it occurs.  Apart from this it should also be ensured that the rates of tarpaulin, blankets and other essentials are sold at the nominal rates and to keep check on vendors so that they may not charge higher price for essential products.

Directions were issued to coordinate with the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the dam authorities in the State to keep monitoring the rise in water level during the monsoons and strengthen the early monitoring system. He directed to convene a meeting with the officers and officials of the CWC and the representatives of the power projects viz: Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), National Hydel Power Corporation (NHPC), Himachal Power Corporation Limited (HPCL) and HPSEBL etc at the earliest.  The dam authorities must test-check the functioning of their machinery and be prepared to mitigate any flood type situation.

Satellite phones will also be provided to all the subdivisions, he stated, adding that the state government has asked BSNL to provide the equipment much before the onset of monsoons which will prove handy for communication in emergent situations.  

Directions were issued to the Deputy Commissioners of those districts particularly of Mandi, Kullu and Kangra, which suffered the major brunt during the last rains which created havoc during the last monsoon and asked them to visit the sinking sites and the spots most vulnerable to the floods, landslips etc. He stated that if the situation seems to cause any threat to the habitants of such areas, they may be advised to shift to safer places. Apart from this, strict instructions were issued to ban the excavation of slopes and to keep a close eye on illegal mining.  

Director Meteorological Department, Surender Paul Shimla, stated that the monsoon spell was expected to be normal this year from June to September.  

Earlier, all the line departments, including the officers and officials of the SDRF, NDRF, PWD, Electricity Board, Food and Civil Supplies, Jal Shakti, BSNL, were present during the occasion amongst others.