Dehradun: Amit Negi, Secretary, Disaster Management has informed at a press conference held at media centre, secretariat here on Tuesday that the administration is fully alert in view of heavy rains in the state. However, the situation is normal.
He said that the Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary are continuously reviewing all the necessary preparations. Several roads which are sensitive from view point of landslides have been identified and JCB, Polk land machines and manpower have been deployed at such places so that in case of landslides, the blocked roads could be opened immediately. The telephone number of junior engineers, assistant engineers and driver of JCB machines have been made available to the disaster management centres and concerned tehsil headquarters. In view of heavy rains, the leaves of field staff has been cancelled till September 15. All the concerned officers and employees associated with disaster management have been put on alert. Coordination has been established with army, ITBP,BRO and other agencies. Alternate track routes have been made at places on the national highway which are identified as chronic landslides zones so that vehicles on both sides on any such landslides could be arranged for transshipment of passengers.
Shelter points have been identified on the ‘Char Dham Yatra’ route where pilgrims could be stopped safely in case of any emergency. Required safety equipment for disaster relief are available in sufficient number at the tehsil level. The pilgrims going to Kailash Mansarovar yatra are safe. He said that it is the effort of the state government that communication and information system work under any circumstances. Uttarakhand is one of the state where largest number of satellite telephones are being used.” We have 74 satellite telephones which are provided to District Magistrates. We have arranged for two helicopters one each for Garhwal and Kumoan regions,” Amit Negi said.
The necessary stock of rations and other essentials commodities for three months have already been arranged in the remote areas. The SDRF teams have been deployed at 31 places in the state. A total of 7500 policemen deployed in far off posts have been provided training in disaster management and volunteers have also been activated.
Dr. Pankaj Pandey, Secretary, Information, Sanjay Gunjial, IG, SDRF and Additional Secretary, Disaster Management Saveen Bansal were present at the press conference.
