DC reviews disaster preparedness; seals 14 shops

Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, July 15: To take preventive measures in advance to deal with any eventuality of flash floods, landslide occurrence amid the monsoon, Deputy Commissioner Udhampur Indu Kanwal Chib today chaired a meeting of District Disaster Management Authority and reviewed the preparedness of the departments.
The meeting was attended by ASP, Anwar Ul- Haq; Chief Planning Officer, Rajeev Bhushan; ACR, Viqar Giri; senior officers from CRPF,BSF, besides Executive Engineers of PWD,PDD,PHE, UEED, Irrigation & Flood Control, Deputy Controller, Civil Defence, Deputy Controller, SDRF, CEO, MC and other officers.
A comprehensive plan was chalked out for tackling the untoward happening in the district after thorough discussion.
The DC outlined the importance of inter departmental coordination in dealing with any emergency. The need for the effective flood prevention measures in vulnerable areas were stressed upon.
The meeting decided to activate Control rooms at all levels for sharing information and taking distress calls from the public for a quick disaster response.
The DC directed PWD, PDD, PHE and flood control department to notify roaster for flood duty to monitor the level of rivers and Nallahas. All the agencies were asked to keep their resources and manpower ready for any emergency. The DC said that the mock drill exercise will be conducted by District Administration within days.
The ACR and Tehsildars were directed to inspect the flood prone locations in their respective area with the help of Lambardars and Chowkidars and take preventive measures. They were asked to stay vigilant and immediately report unusual rise of water level in rivers and nallahas to the control room on a daily basis.
The DC informed that the District Administration would appoint nodal officers for monitoring the forecast threat of flash floods and cloud burst in their respect Jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, to maintain close coordination among various departments and agencies to deal with any eventuality an Emergency Operation Centre (24 x 7) with contact number 01992-272727 and 01992-272728 was made functional under the close supervision of Additional Deputy Commissioner, Udhampur.
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner, last night conducted surprise inspection in the vicinity of Udhampur town to take stock of implementation of COVID-19 lockdown measures in the District and recovered Rs.25,12,115 from the Covid -19 violators.
During the inspection, the DC found that 14 shops were violating the SOPs in Omara Morh, Sallan Talab, Channi Morh including Udhampur city and ordered to immediately seal all the shops. Pertinent to mention here that these shops were found open in the late night hours in violation of the Covid SOP timings.
The DDMA Udhampur has advised the public as well as shopkeepers to strictly adhere to the SOPs and follow Covid appropriate behavior like wearing face masks, maintaining social distance and hand hygiene. The DC reiterated that any violation of Government directives will lead to penal action and such surprise visits will continue to ensure discipline in larger public interest.