Orange alert for five districts__
Secretary Disaster Management reviewed preparations by holding a meeting__
Instructions to officials to remain on alert mode_Dehradun. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for 30th October for Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand in view of possibility of thundering and lightning at some places, hailstorm and gusty winds blowing at a speed of 40 to 50 kilometers per hour. Apart from this, possibility of heavy rainfall at some places in Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Nainital and Champawat districts has also been expressed.
In view of the warning of the Meteorological Department, Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Shri Vinod Kumar Suman reviewed the preparations by holding a meeting with the officials of the concerned districts and directed all concerned officials to remain in alert mode and take necessary precautionary steps. While Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami and Hon’ble Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Shri Madan Kaushik talked to Secretary Disaster Management Shri Vinod Kumar Suman and directed to take all protective steps for the safety of the general public.Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman said that taking the warning issued by the Meteorological Department seriously, instructions have been given to all districts to keep the arrangements related to disaster management fully active.
He directed to take special vigilance regarding the safety of pilgrims on Char Dham Yatra routes. He said that in case of bad weather or any possible danger, pilgrims should be stopped at safe places._Concerned officers should continuously monitor the condition of travel routes and take necessary decisions according to circumstances_He said that districts have been told that special vigilance should be observed in sensitive areas and all concerned departments should work with mutual coordination to deal with any emergency situation.
He directed that all officers nominated under the disaster management system deployed in the districts and departmental nodal officers should remain alert and ensure prompt action as soon as information about any incident is received.He said that in view of possibility of landslides, road blockage and other emergency situations in case of bad weather in hilly areas, Public Works Department, National Highway, Border Roads Organization and other concerned executing agencies should keep their machinery and necessary resources ready. In case of road blockage, concerned departments should ensure arrangements to make the road smooth by taking immediate action, so that general public does not have to face unnecessary trouble.
_Special vigilance should be exercised on movement of tourists in high Himalayan regions during weather warning_Shri Suman said that relief and rescue teams should be kept ready to provide immediate assistance to affected people in any emergency situation. He appealed to the general public to take the warnings of the Meteorological Department seriously, avoid unnecessary travel during bad weather and take special care around rivers-streams, water streams and landslide prone areas. Give information about any emergency situation or disaster related incident immediately on toll free number 1070 of State Emergency Operation Center.
Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman clarified that public safety is the top priority of the state government and in view of the warning of the Meteorological Department, all concerned departments and districts will have to work with full promptness with mutual coordination, so that quick and effective action can be ensured in case of any possible disaster situation.Additional Chief Executive Officer Administration Shri Prakash Chandra, Additional Chief Executive Officer Implementation DIG Shri Rajkumar Negi, Joint Chief Executive Officer Shri Dinesh Kumar Punetha, Shri Mohit Mathur etc. were present in the meeting._Send immediate proposal for assistance to affected_Dehradun.
Secretary Shri Suman directed that necessary demands and proposals from concerned districts should be sent to the government soon to provide assistance to the people affected due to loss caused by hailstorm. He said that if funds are required to provide relief to the affected, then formal demand and proposal for assistance from Chief Minister Relief Fund should be submitted immediately, so that affected get relief on time. He also directed to send proposals related to demand for necessary funds under Recovery and Reconstruction soon. He said that Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami and Hon’ble Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Shri Madan Kaushik expressed displeasure over delay in receiving proposals and directed to send proposals soon and provide assistance to affected soon. He said that necessary action should be expedited on the basis of assessment of damaged assets and loss caused by hailstorm, so that restoration works in affected areas can be done in a time-bound manner.
_Proposal sought for solution to stone falling problem in Chirbasa_Dehradun. The problem of stones falling from the hill in Chirbasa area was also discussed in the meeting. Secretary Shri Suman directed concerned officials to soon prepare and send to the government a proposal of necessary protective measures to ensure safety of pilgrims and general public in the area. He especially asked to soon submit proposal regarding installation of safety net (netting) to prevent stone falling, so that necessary approval and action process can be taken forward.
