State Disaster Management Authority Tightens Preparations Amid Heavy Rainfall Alerts
Dehradun: In the wake of red and orange alerts issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for several districts of Uttarakhand, the State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has stepped up its preparedness measures. Additional Chief Executive Officer (Administration) Anand Swaroop convened a high-level virtual meeting with District Disaster Management Officers (DMMOs) to issue urgent guidelines aimed at ensuring safety and minimizing damage during the upcoming spell of heavy rainfall.
Addressing officials from the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), Swaroop emphasized that the next few days could be particularly challenging for the state due to excessive rainfall. He instructed district authorities to stay on maximum alert, regularly monitor IMD updates, and ensure that immediate action is taken whenever any warning is issued.
“To reduce loss of life and property, all districts must ensure full preparedness in advance,” Swaroop said, adding that officers should be ready to respond swiftly to any situation.
He also stressed the need to actively promote the ‘Sachet App’, directing districts to launch awareness campaigns to increase downloads, enabling real-time alerts to reach more citizens.
Relief Measures and Damage Assessment
Swaroop reviewed reports of heavy rainfall incidents from Thursday night and ongoing relief operations conducted on Friday. He instructed all districts to:
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Assess damages and send detailed reports to the state government promptly.
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Relocate vulnerable populations from high-risk areas to safe shelters and relief camps without delay.
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Ensure adequate facilities at all shelters, including food, drinking water, bedding, electricity, toilets, and generator backup.
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Establish safe shelter locations and assign Tehsil-level officers responsibility for camp management.
He reiterated that any unsafe or disaster-prone zones must be evacuated immediately to prevent casualties.
Impact on Plains and Flood Preparedness
Highlighting the interconnected impact of heavy mountain rains on lower regions, Swaroop warned of potential floods and waterlogging in the plains due to rising river levels. He directed authorities to:
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Keep flood response mechanisms ready.
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Monitor satellite phones regularly and ensure they remain functional.
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Stay vigilant for landslides and blockages in hilly areas that could disrupt communication and transport.
Coordination and Communication Must Remain Seamless
Additional Chief Executive Officer (Implementation) DIG Rajkumar Negi underscored the importance of uninterrupted information flow during emergencies.
“This time, the challenges are significant. There must be no gap in communication or response at any level,” he said.
DIG Negi instructed DMMOs to remain in constant contact with SEOC and DEOCs, ensuring every incident is reported immediately. He also stressed that alerts from SEOC must reach every citizen, urging updates to local WhatsApp groups, including contact details of newly elected Panchayat representatives, to facilitate faster dissemination of critical information.
The review and strategy session was attended by senior officials, including Additional CEO (Implementation) DIG Rajkumar Negi, Joint CEO Md. Obaidullah Ansari, Dr. Pooja Rana, Hemant Bisht, and Tandrila Sarkar, among others.
