Himachal Chief Secretary VC Pharka on Tuesday said that good rain was predicted during ensuing rainy season which would bring prosperity to the farming community and State as a whole, yet the occurrence of natural hazards like floods, flashfloods and landslides could not be overlooked.
He directed all the Deputy Commissioners, line departments and stakeholders in the State to be well prepared & equipped to face and mitigate the disaster risks in the event of impending rainy season. The Chief Secretary was presiding over a preparedness meeting on impending monsoon.
Pharka said the hills and mountains of the State were susceptible to face landslides during monsoon and in view of this the disaster management should be focused on proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness driven approach to minimise the loss of life and property. He stressed upon timely identification of areas prone to floods, flash floods and landslides and maintains their list so as to minimise vulnerability with the active coordination of relevant stakeholders at State and district level. He asked the Deputy Commissioners for timely evacuation of establishments, labour colonies along with the river bed in low lying areas. He also asked to check garbage dumping in panchayats.
He informed that the Quick Response Teams (QRT) had already been constituted by the Police Department, Home Guards and Civil Defense at State and District level to face and handle any type of natural disaster situation and QRTs were well equipped with search and rescue equipments. The chief secretary asked the Deputy Commissioners for early constitution of District Disaster Response Force in the concerned districts and arrange for the proper training and capacity building. He directed the Public Works Department for immediately opening of all the culverts along the entire state and national highways so that water flow through its natural passage.
Pharka asked for timely assessment exercise and stocking of essential commodities like proper water, sanitation and hygiene, rural or urban livelihood, fodder, non food items, shelter and protection to the affected population by various stakeholder department in case of disaster situation besides making available sufficient material at vulnerable points.
He directed for the proper surveillance for water borne diseases, protection of epidemics, stocking of essential medicines and basic life saving equipments besides storage of essential items like food grains, kerosene oil and drinking water.