Ready for the rains: Chamba district takes proactive measures for disaster management

In preparation for the monsoon season, Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal on Friday emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts among all departments, Panchayati Raj representatives, disaster response volunteers, and civil society to ensure effective disaster management and rapid relief during potential emergencies.

Chairing a review meeting, Repaswal directed Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to ensure the availability of essential supplies in remote panchayats and to keep their sub-divisional disaster management control rooms active round-the-clock.

The National Highways Authority and the Public Works Department (PWD) were instructed to prepare a list of landslide-prone and vulnerable roads, and to ensure that adequate machinery is on standby for emergency response. Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats were also directed to make proper arrangements for rainwater drainage to avoid urban flooding.

The DC conducted a detailed review of departmental readiness, including the Health Department, Electricity Board, Jal Shakti Department, Education, Animal Husbandry, and the Food and Civil Supplies Department. He also directed hydropower project managers in the district to appoint special nodal officers for disaster preparedness and to regularly monitor safety protocols.

During the meeting, Chief Medical Officer Dr Bipen Thakur said adequate stocks of essential medicines are in place and a diarrhoea control campaign will be carried out until July 31. A representative from the Jal Shakti Department stated that all drinking water sources across the district have been cleaned and sanitised.

The District Controller of the Food and Civil Supplies Department said instructions have been issued to ensure essential ration supplies to 45 remote fair-price shops under the disaster management plan. The Executive Engineer of the Electricity Board reported that maintenance of transmission lines has been completed to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the monsoon.

The Deputy Commissioner also informed the public that they can contact the district disaster management authority through the toll-free helpline 1077 in case of emergencies. Additionally, citizens can send audio or video messages related to disaster events via WhatsApp at 98166-98166.

The meeting proceedings were conducted by Additional District Magistrate Amit Mehra. Superintendent of Police Abhishek Yadav, ADM Bharmour Kulbir Singh Rana, Chowari SDM Paras Aggarwal and District Revenue Officer Vikramjeet Singh were among others present on the occasion.

Himachal Tribune