Coordination meeting on disaster management held for North Sikkim

GANGTOK, 22 June [IPR]: A coordination meeting was held in the District Administration Centre in Mangan on 19 June to evaluate preparedness for disaster in the District. During the course of meeting, the Border Roads Organization was requested to ensure that the roads from Gangtok to Lachen and Lachung via Mangan and Chungthang be kept open for traffic so that the public of the district are able to move freely.
Further, it was suggested that during the next 2 months, the BRO should avoid road expansion works and focus primarily on clearing debris and other minor works. DC North also directed the BRO representative to assess the load bearing capacity of the 4 bridges on the Dikchu –Sangkalang Road. The BRO representative assured that suitable action would be taken to ensure that the roads under its jurisdiction are kept open. He, however, stated that it had certain targets for widening and these would have to be achieved inspite of adverse weather conditions. It was also requested that during the process of road widening and maintenance work, BRO should avoid damage to Government as well as public properties.
The DCSO informed the meeting that it had adequate stock of essential commodities in its godowns and also enough stock of HSD and MS at Mangan. The DC North directed the DCSO to submit stock report of essential commodities in a prescribed format every Saturday.
The problem of drinking water contamination was presented by the A.E, PHE with assurances that such issues would be taken care of by the Department. However, support from the GPU would be necessary in ensuring that the sources are not contaminated or disturbed.
The DC North directed the Superintendent of Mangan District Hospital to ensure that the Mangan Hospital, PHCs and PHSCs in the District are geared to respond to any emergencies that may occur. He also assured to visit the Hospital and look into the problem of sanitation.
The SDE of BSNL was requested to ensure effective telecommunication within the District. It was assured that the requirement of land at Kabi and Chungthang would be looked into by the District Administration. Further, the GM, BSNL would be informed of the erratic power situation in Chungthang and requested for additional funds to meet the cost of diesel for its generators in Chungthang.
The DC North urged inter-agency communication and sharing of information so that coordinated response could be ensured during times of crisis. He suggested that the Quick Response Team for disaster management should work together with the Police for better disaster management.
The Senior SP stated that some critical equipment should be provided to the Team. The DC North suggested preparing a Standard Operating Procedure to deal with all forms of disasters. He requested the Sr. SP to work in collaboration with the District Collector’s office in preparing such a document.
The meeting concluded with the DC North requesting all officials for their cooperation in times of crisis.