Disaster
preparedness mechanism being strengthened
POONCH, JUNE 30: District
Development Commissioner Poonch, Mohammad Aijaz Asad today convened a meeting
to reviewed flood protection measures and service delivery mechanism here at a
meeting of senior functionaries.
The meeting was
attended by ADDC, Hamid Sheikh, ADC, Dr. Basharat Hussain, ASP, Anwar-Ul-Haq,
ACR, Bashir Lone, XEN R&B, XEN PMGSY, XEN IFC, Executive Engineers
PWD(R&B), PHE, PDD, I&FC, AD, FCS&CA, I/C SDRF, Army
representatives besides officials from other concerned departments.
The
DDC directed officials of Army, Disaster Management and Civil
Defence to keep their men and machinery ready with tents, sand
bags, life jackets and other rescue equipments. He asked them
to make available sand bags at vulnerable locations especially upstream and
downstream of S.K Bridge and Kalai Bridge and other populated locations as
precautionary measures.
The meeting
discussed measures for protection at places prone to flood
like Bela Potha, Bela Sanai, Fazalabad and Sailan in Tehsil Surankote,
downstream of Kalai Bridge on the right Bank, Dingla, 1km area each of upstream
and downstream of S.K Bridge, Batad Nala, Ajote, downstream of Batad covering
Purani Poonch in Tehsil Haveli and main town and Chhajla in Tehsil Mendhar.
Concerned
departments informed that a total 32 JCBs, 1 Pick & Carry Crane and 2 BDAT
have been kept on standby to deal with untoward situation.
Preparedness-
cum-Rescue Plan was discussed and the
DDC called for maintaining close coordination among different
departments and agencies to safeguard precious lives in case of any eventuality
during the rainy season.
The meeting
decided to establish District Disaster Management Group for timely
coordination, while the DDC directed the department heads to conduct mock
drills with agencies to stay prepared for any unforeseen eventuality.
The Municipality
and R&B Deptt was asked to ensure clearance of all drains in advance in the
main markets to avoid water logging during monsoon.
PDD was
asked to take measures for preventing power
supply disruption and keep alternate power lines
ready in case of failure of main Line.
The DDC also
reviewed the medicine stock position in hospitals and
asked the health department to issue advisories with respect to any epidemic
and health issues.
The CMO
Poonch informed the meeting that 57 ambulances and 1 Mobile Medical Unit(MMU)
have been put on task.
It was decided
that an Emergency Operation Centre(EOC) will be opened at DC Office which will
function under the supervision of ADC.
DDC Poonch also directed AD, FCS&CA to keep adequate ration in
stores to meet emergent requirements. The provision of buffer stock in hilly
and disaster prone areas should also be ensured in time, he directed.
