Thursday, 27 May 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The State’s Irrigation minister Satpal Maharaaz directed departmental officials to ensure that necessary arrangements are made regarding dams and reservoirs along with completion of flood protection works before the onset of the monsoon season. The minister said this while chairing a review meeting virtually here on Wednesday.
Irrigation department officials in all the districts informed the minister about the flood protection works in their respective areas. The official said that they were making effective flood protection arrangements in the districts, adding that the remaining works will also be completed on time.
The minister directed the officials that along with dams and reservoirs, they should also keep an eye on rivers and nullahs.He opined that drones could also be used to ascertain the flow of rivers. He told the officials to lay special focus on removing additional debris from the rivers. As garbage blocking drains in cities is a major reason for water logging in urban areas, cleaning the drains before the monsoon is also very important. He directed the officials to write to the municipal bodies concerned for getting the drains cleaned. The minister said that Haridwar district suffers maximum damage during the rains.
Considering this, effective arrangements must be made in flood and soil erosion prone villages including Kalsiya, Dumanpur, Balawali, Gangdaspur, Shivpuri, Maharajpur Khurd, Rampur Raighati, Chandrapuri Bangar, Chandrapuri Khadar, Naiwala and Dallawala among others.Seeking information from the departmental officials about areas identified as possible flood areas, he also directed them to make all necessary arrangements in such places. District level committee should be formed for flood protection soon. Further, control rooms set for flood protection along with the names and phone numbers of nodal officers should be made public, said Maharaaz. The minister further said that presently the whole nation is fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic. Considering this, it should be ensured that the officials listen to what the people have to say and strive to resolve their issues on the spot. The officials should develop a new work culture in the department and provide all possible assistance to the public, said the minister.
The Irrigation secretary SA Murugesan, joint secretary JL Sharma and senior engineers of the department were also among those present in the meeting.
