Curbs in vehicular movement as heavy rainfall predicted

In view of the heavy rainfall as forecast by the weather department for Sunday and Monday, vehicular movement has been restricted from 8 pm to 6 am on the Tanakpur-Chalthi-Champawat national highway in Champawat.Meanwhile, as a precautionary measure the Champawat district administration has decided to close the Purnagiri temple route till a further order in this regard is given in view of weather conditions across the region.

At the same time, the administration has also asked all the officials concerned to shift families from the areas along the Sharda River in Champawat’s Tanakpur, Banbasa to safer places in view of the adverse weather conditions, stressing on the need to deploy ‘Jal Police’ in sensitive areas to deal with any eventuality in an effective manner.

Also, to deal with any situation due to rising water level of the Sharda river, the district administration also decided to maintain proper communication links with Tanakpur barrage officials and other officials concerned of the district Irrigation department.Deploying sector magistrates across the district to deal with natural disasters, the Champawat district has also set up disaster control room with phone number 05965-230819 and 1077 (toll free) number for the public.

It has divided the Purnagiri tehshil comprising Tanakpur area into three sectors to meet any eventuality in case of a natural disaster like situation as has been forecasted by the weather department on July 5 and July 6.

With a view to provide prompt relief to the needy in the aftermath of natural disaster,  steps have also been taken to  inform agencies engaged in disaster management about any natural calamity related information through SMS in Champawat.Besides, communication system comprising wireless sets and satellite phones has also been put in place apart from regular mobile phone services, added the officials concerned. 

Stressing on the need for maintaining proper road connectivity during the monsoon, the district administration Champwat has also decided to place JCB machines in landslide prone areas of the Champawat -Pithoragarh national highway like Chalthi, Amori, Swala, Ghat- Panar under its contingency plan.