Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has directed all district magistrates to ensure timely completion of necessary arrangements in view of the monsoon.
He stressed that cognisance should be taken of the heavy rain warning issued by the Meteorological centre and preparations should be made accordingly to prevent untoward incidents. The CM said that safety and other measures should be completed on time in areas where the Met office has forecast heavy rains. Special focus should be laid on river bank areas and other sites considered unsafe.
Rawat also directed the district magistrates to ensure that adequate quantity of food grains is available in the districts in view of the monsoon season. He also requested those planning to undertake the Char Dham Yatra to take cognisance of weather report and forecast before progressing ahead on their pilgrimage. Rawat directed the officials of the Tourism Department to make the control room for Char Dham Yatra pilgrims more active and effective. Weather
related information should also be broadcast widely to keep the pilgrims informed about the situation. The State Government is sensitive towards the devotees undertaking the Char Dham Yatra, added the CM. He further directed the district magistrates to make the district level control rooms more active and ensure deployment of senior officials at these centres 24x7.
The district level officials of the disaster management department should also be on the alert. Rawat stressed that in case of any road being blocked due to the rains, the Public Works Department and Border Roads Organisation should work efficiently in coordination to ensure that such roads are reopened without delay to prevent inconvenience to the travellers and pilgrims.