Monsoon ready: Mandi disaster management authority charts plan

In a proactive move to address the potential risks posed by the upcoming Southwest Monsoon 2025, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Mandi held a crucial preparedness meeting on Wednesday. The session was chaired by Deputy Commissioner and DDMA Chairperson Apoorv Devgan and attended by senior officials from key departments including Health, Police, Jal Shakti, PWD, Municipal Bodies, Electricity Board, Education, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and others.

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The primary objective of the meeting was to assess the monsoon preparedness of all departments and formulate a coordinated disaster response plan. Emphasising the importance of interdepartmental coordination, the DC said, “The district administration is fully alert and committed to ensuring a swift, synchronised response during emergencies.”

He added that a robust early warning system will be reinforced to ensure timely alerts. Real-time updates on electricity, water supply and road conditions will be shared with the public through social media platforms. Departments were instructed to maintain high alert levels during red and orange alerts and to pre-deploy machinery and human resources in sensitive zones.

Special directives were issued to NHAI and PWD to ensure uninterrupted operation of key national highways — NH-21 (Kiratpur-Manali), NH-70 (Hamirpur-Mandi) and NH-154 — throughout the monsoon. NHAI officials confirmed the deployment of emergency machinery at 9 Mile and 6 Mile points, ready to respond within 30 minutes on the Mandi-Dharampur road.

Property owners near highways were informed that retaining walls may be installed before the monsoon, with material and labour costs reimbursable under NHAI guidelines. Both departments were also instructed to complete cleaning of roadside drains and dumping sites to prevent waterlogging.

Officials managing the Pandoh and Larji dams were directed to clear silt deposits and prepare for controlled water retention in case of cloudbursts or high inflows. They must issue timely alerts to downstream residents to ensure public safety.

“Sensitive areas will be identified based on past experiences and resources will be pre-positioned accordingly,” said DC Devgan. Sub-divisional officers have been tasked with compiling lists of such areas without delay. All sub-divisions will establish 24/7 operational controlrooms from July 1, ensuring immediate emergency response.

Departments of Health, Food and Civil Supplies have been instructed to ensure storage of essential items — including life-saving drugs, food grains and fuel — in vulnerable regions by June 15.

The Education Department was advised to avoid conducting classes in structurally unsafe school buildings during the monsoon. “All necessary precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of schoolchildren,” the DC stressed.

A public awareness campaign will also be launched to educate residents on monsoon safety dos and don’ts, with the aim of enhancing community preparedness.