Haryana Government on Monday directed the Deputy Commissioners of Panchkula, Ambala and Yamunanagar to immediately get the check dams desilted, which were constructed for storage of water in Shivalik area.
In view of the ensuing monsoon, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal on Monday reviewed the preparedness for control of floods in the State.
He directed that natural water bodies and lakes should also be desilted once in a year. This would not only increase their storage capacity, but would also recharge the ground water, said the Chief Minister while presiding over the meeting with senior officers, Divisional Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners through video-conferencing here.The Chief Minister emphasized the need for construction of more reservoirs and asked the Irrigation Department to identify the areas and plan accordingly for their construction. He also directed to take up all flood controls works and ensure their completion before the onset of monsoon.
It was informed in the meeting that monsoon is expected in last week of June as per whether forecast by Meteorology Department. He stressed that all the concerned departments should ensure better coordination for effective flood control measures and monitoring during monsoon.
The Chief Minister also asked the officers to ensure that water flows smoothly in rivers during monsoon.
He also emphasized the need to conduct an awareness campaign about floods among the masses so as to make them prepared.
All the Deputy Commissioners apprised the Chief Minister that necessary arrangements for flood control have been made. Also, as per the guidelines issued by Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management, flood control rooms have been set up in all districts from May 28. Mobile pump sets and other equipments have been inspected and repaired, wherever required.
During the meeting, Irrigation Minister OP Dhankar suggested that an Authority should be constituted to study the natural flow of water as some reports about permanent water logging in few places have been received due to change of course water bodies due to rapid urbanization. He said that there are about 15000 ponds in the state out of which 3000 are for cattle.