YUPIA, 19 May: Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Sachin Rana has asked all heads of departments (HoD) to remain alert and be prepared during the monsoon period and activate the rapid response teams of the respective departments in the headquarters and the circles.
The DC, who held a meeting here on Thursday to discuss the pre-monsoon preparedness in Papum Pare district, prioritised the need for identifying vulnerable areas and allocating resources “as per the vulnerability.”
He emphasised the need to prepare a robust disaster management plan for the district to fight natural calamities.
Papum Pare SP Neelam Nega apprised the DC of the steps taken by the police department with other stakeholders to sensitise the public. He said that immediate steps should be taken to check illegal earth-cutting, excavation of sand and gravel, and other related activities. The SP suggested involving the village-level committees to ensure proper monitoring.
Stating that illegal earth-cutting on hillocks is the main reason behind massive soil erosion and inundation of irrigated areas, RWD EE Nabam Ayung said that such activities should be immediately stopped.
DMO Dr K Perme and DFCSO H Bayang apprised the DC of the availability of lifesaving drugs and foodgrains stock in their respective departments.
DDMO Nima Tashi sought cooperation from all the departments in preparing a disaster management plan for the district.
Discussions were also held regarding procurement of emergency equipment, opening of a control room at the DC office, IEC activities, maintaining sufficient food stocks for the monsoon season, particularly for remote circles like Tarasso and Mengio, disaster mitigation plan for vulnerable areas, on-time issuing of notice to the people living in vulnerable areas, and maintaining stocks of lifesaving drugs.
The meeting was conducted by the district disaster management department. (DIPRO)
