With the monsoon season approaching, the Kangra district administration has stepped up preparations to tackle any potential disaster and ensure a swift response during emergencies.
Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa directed all departments to appoint nodal officers for disaster management-related work during the monsoon period. Chairing a review meeting on pre-monsoon preparedness at the DC’s Office, Bairwa said the administration is fully alert and all necessary measures are being put in place to minimise risks arising from heavy rain, landslides and other weather-related incidents.
He instructed departments to ensure the cleaning of kuhls, drains and other water channels before the onset of monsoon. The Public Works Department (PWD) has also been directed to identify landslide-prone roads and vulnerable locations and prepare for timely intervention.
The DC asked the PWD, Jal Shakti and electricity departments to keep JCB machines, equipment and other resources ready for emergencies.
Highlighting the need to safeguard remote areas, Bairwa directed the Food and Civil Supplies Department to ensure adequate stocking of essential commodities in inaccessible regions. The Health Department was instructed to maintain sufficient stocks of life-saving and essential medicines.
The DC added that disaster management control rooms will be established at both district and sub-divisional levels to facilitate prompt action on disaster-related information. All departments have also been asked to designate nodal officers to coordinate emergency response efforts.
The DC directed Subdivisional Magistrates to review preparedness at the grassroots level. In view of possible emergencies, the Education Department has been asked to provide a list of vacant school buildings that could be used for relief and rescue operations. Details of school buildings in landslide-prone areas have also been sought.
