Sirmaur administration gears up for monsoon

Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority, Priyanka Verma, chaired a high-level review meeting at the DC Office Auditorium in Nahan to assess the district’s preparedness ahead of the southwest monsoon.

The DC directed all departments concerned to appoint nodal officers and formulate action plans to deal with any disaster-related situations during the monsoon. She informed that a control room has been established at the district headquarters and people can report disaster-related incidents on the toll-free number 1077.

Emphasising the need for proactive measures, she instructed officials to stockpile essential supplies and relief materials in remote and vulnerable areas in advance. All Sub-Divisional Officers were directed to organise one-day orientation workshops for ‘Disaster Mitras’ and local volunteers to ensure ground-level readiness.

The DC also announced that a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team will remain stationed at Kubja Pavilion in Renuka throughout the monsoon season for swift emergency response.

In view of flood threats near dams, she directed dam authorities to reinforce alarm and early warning systems. All officers were asked to download and use central government mobile applications such as Damini, Sachet and Mausam for real-time weather updates and alerts.

To prevent urban flooding, she instructed the Public Works Department (PWD), National Highway Authority and local Municipal Councils to clean roadside drainage systems before the onset of heavy rains. She also directed the Jal Shakti and Panchayati Raj Departments to ensure cleanliness and chlorination of water sources and drinking water tanks to prevent waterborne diseases.

The Health Department was advised to stock essential medicines, particularly those required for treating snake bites, across all health centres before the monsoon begins. Additionally, the PWD was asked to complete road repairs and deploy machinery in disaster-prone areas for rapid response during emergencies.

The DC also called for extra precautions to be taken during the Churdhar pilgrimage season, ensuring safety measures are in place for travellers and devotees.

Towards the end of the meeting, Verma announced that a district-level event for International Yoga Day will be held at Chaugan Ground, Nahan, at 7 AM on June 21, urging officials and the public to participate in large numbers.

Himachal Tribune