Monsoon preparedness meet stresses need for effective coordination

SAGAR CHHETRI
GANGTOK, 26 May: The District Collector [East], D Anandan, stressed the need for effective coordination between the line departments and concerned organizations while responding to incidents of natural calamities. He further insisted on the need of cooperation and support from all concerned departments and organizations to the district administration in providing relief to the affected areas.
The DC was speaking in the district-level meeting on Disaster Management and Pre-Monsoon Preparedness organized by the Collectorate [East] here at the District Administration conference hall today.
The meeting was attended by the SP [East], Dr MS Tuli, ADC [East], Chewang Gyatso, SDM [East], Dr AB Karki, and senior officials from different line departments and members of the civil defence units.
The DC explained that the objective of the meeting was to assess the preparedness and alertness of the line department ahead of the monsoon and to ensure that all departments understood their roles and worked as a team in any emergency or calamities.

He also pointed out that in the past one week, the district has already suffered much damage due to heavy rainfall in the pre-monsoon itself.
He also suggested the concerned departments to immediately start clearing the drains, roads and jhoras before the monsoon arrived.
“If jhoras, drains and roads are cleared, then around 60% of the problems in monsoon season will automatically be solved,” he said.
The DC urged the officials to remain in station during this season and in the event they have to leave, then brief and prepare their second in commands.
He further suggested the departments prepare their own plans of action in advance for any calamity.
The DC also spelled out the roles and responsibilities of line departments and civil defence teams.
The SP [East] suggested that the Forest Department survey the national highway to single out trees in danger during heavy rainfall and have them removed before they collapse on the road and block traffic or cause more damage.
He also suggested that the Road and Bridges Department survey the highway in coordination with the GREF before monsoon and identify the weaker links.
“There is a standing order not to undertake digging or excavation works in monsoon, so if anyone notice then it should be reported and action will be taken,” he said.
The SP assured to provide all possible help from the police department to the departments in working during natural disasters.
In his report on natural calamities which occurred in the last monsoon, the DPO [East], Sonam Wangdi Lepcha, informed that the east district reported 168 instances of natural calamities in different parts of the district including some major one.
He informed that the administration had taken immediate relief actions and also provided relief as the natural calamities norms.
Likewise, the representatives from the State Disaster Management Authority and the District Disaster Management Authority made presentations on their activities in the state. The meeting was also addressed by the ADC and SDM. The representatives from different departments and civil defence also placed their suggestions and raised queries during the meeting.