CS reviews preparations to combat floods

Excelsior Reporter
SRINAGAR, September 4: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat today regarding the flood preparedness and response review in Union Jammu and Kashmir.
At the beginning of his speech, the Chief Secretary praised the steps taken by the Regional and District administration to be prepared for floods and said that we need to continue to work in a coordinated manner in all aspects.
While chairing the meeting, the CS called for the development of an effective strategy to counter any eventuality. He called for the development of appropriate SOPs to deal with the situation in which every individual concerned is fully informed about his/her role and responsibility in case of emergency. He enjoined the officers to be on alert to combat any eventuality that may arise.
Noting that the Regional Level Committees play a critical role in emergencies, the CS said they should be trained and should not be found wanting in any respect. He said the flood response manual should be distributed to all stakeholders and thoroughly studied.
Regarding the Decision Support System, the CS said that it should be supported and updated with Digital Risk Database containing inventory of all available resources, infrastructure etc. in an area so that a suitable and coordinated plan can be framed and implemented in a timely manner.
He also called for a detailed flood mapping/inundation map of each district and urged action to be taken accordingly. He called on the relevant officers to make proper planning and mobilise resources in advance and issue flood duty charts to effectively deal with natural disasters.
The Secretary-General also inquired about the stock status of various flood prevention products in the departmental warehouses and called for conducting drills with the participation of all stakeholder departments at ground level.
Administrative Secretaries of relevant units gave detailed information about their preparations for possible disasters and the measures they took.
The Health Minister informed that they have prepared a comprehensive plan including shifting of vital installations, equipment, machinery to deal with any emergency. The SMC Commissioner informed that there are men, machinery, mobile and static dewatering pumps pre-positioned at designated places in Srinagar city. The Fire and Emergency Department has also kept fire trucks and portable pumps for the purpose.
Likewise, all Deputy Commissioners also attended the meeting regarding the preparedness status against floods in their respective areas.
During the meeting, the CS was informed that the safety inspection of the bunds has been completed and interim measures have been taken wherever deemed necessary. The divisional control room of the Irrigation and Flood Department at Ram Mushi Bagh is reportedly fully functional 24/7. It was also reported that information dissemination is ongoing and advertisements are being put out on social media, radio, TV etc.
At the meeting, it was stated that control rooms were established to monitor the measurement points 24/7, and that the duty schedules and contact numbers of the officers on duty were prepared and announced to all personnel.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti, Principal Secretary, DMRRR, Department, Civil Secretariat, ADGP, L&O, District Commissioner Kashmir, Director, Fire and Emergency, ADGP, Jammu Zone (through VC), Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, IGP, Kashmir Zone, IGP, Traffic, J&K, IGP, CRPF, Srinagar, Administrative Secretary Public Works Department, District Commissioner, Jammu (through VC), Secretary to Government, Health and Medical Education and other senior officers.