Himachal Chief Secretary reviews preparedness for upcoming monsoon
Focus on early warning systems, flood control and emergency response
Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant on Tuesday said the state government has focused on inter-departmental coordination, early warning systems, flood control and emergency response mechanisms as part of its preparedness for the monsoon season.
He presided over a review meeting here to discuss preparations for the upcoming monsoon season with district administrations and other stakeholder departments. Pant directed dam authorities to strictly adhere to warning protocols and provide prior notification to local populations before releasing excess water.
While prioritising the strengthening of the state’s monsoon preparedness to minimise losses from rain-related disasters, he directed officials to stock adequate food grains, ration supplies and emergency fuel in remote or highly vulnerable areas.
The state is emphasising rapid response measures, with the Revenue and Disaster Management Department continuously monitoring changing weather patterns and coordinating relief operations, he added.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) gave a presentation on the monsoon forecast, previous weather trends and warning systems, while the Central Water Commission (CWC) shared information on flood forecasting and early warning systems.
Representatives of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) gave detailed presentations on their preparedness for the monsoon season and the equipment available with them.
Other stakeholder departments, including the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Vibhag, Home Guards, Civil Defence and Fire Services, also briefed the meeting on their monsoon preparedness.
Earlier, Pushpender Rana, Director and Special Secretary (Revenue and Disaster), presented a detailed report on the steps already taken for monsoon preparedness in the state.
Senior officers, including Secretaries and Heads of various departments, as well as officials from the Health, Police, HPSEB, Agriculture, Horticulture, Forest, Animal Husbandry, Food and Civil Supplies, and Transport departments, attended the meeting.
