NewKerala.com

Key Points

As the monsoon season approaches, Gujarat is taking proactive steps under the leadership of Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi. A high-level meeting in Gandhinagar discussed strategies to manage potential monsoon challenges, focusing on readiness and inter-departmental coordination. NDRF and SDRF teams are prepared for deployment, and control rooms are being established at various levels for efficient response. Officials are also ensuring adequate supplies and monitoring dams to mitigate flood risks.

Key Points: Gujarat Prepares for Monsoon Under Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi

  • Chief Secretary leads disaster strategy meeting
  • Emphasis on readiness for potential floods
  • NDRF and SDRF teams to be deployed
  • Control rooms established across Gujarat
2 min read

Gujarat gears up for monsoon; officials discuss disaster management strategies

Pankaj Joshi leads Gujarat's disaster management strategy meeting as monsoon approaches, ensuring readiness.

"Proactive measures in flood-prone areas are crucial. - Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi"

Gandhinagar, June 2

Even as scattered showers have been lashing parts of Gujarat since May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a timely onset of the monsoon this year. In the light of this, the Gujarat government has started the pre-monsoon preparations.

A high-level review meeting was held in Gandhinagar under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Pankaj Joshi to assess the state’s readiness to handle potential monsoon-related situations.

The meeting brought together senior officials from departments like Revenue, Energy, Home, and Irrigation, along with representatives from ISRO, all three wings of the armed forces, BSF, Coast Guard, NDRF, SDRF, CWC, RAF, Railways, and BSNL.

Following the meeting, the government directed the establishment of control rooms at the state, district, and taluka levels and the formulation of disaster management plans, with immediate implementation.

Departments have also been instructed to ensure adequate stocks of essential supplies to support citizens in the event of heavy rainfall or flooding.

As part of the preparedness strategy, 15 teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and 11 teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) will be deployed across the state as needed. These teams will be equipped with boats, life jackets, and advanced communication tools.

The Chief Secretary emphasised the importance of proactive measures in flood-prone areas based on past patterns.

He urged officials to identify and evacuate residents from old or vulnerable buildings in urban areas. Instructions were also issued to conduct mock drills at various locations and to train local 'Aapda Mitras' (disaster volunteers) in rural areas.

Officials have also been asked to monitor water levels in key dams like Sardar Sarovar and Ukai in advance to avoid last-minute surprises.

The IMD has forecast 'above-normal rainfall' raising concerns over possible flooding.

The Chief Secretary assured that the administrative machinery is fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any emergencies.

Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Jayanti Ravi stressed the importance of early preparedness and inter-departmental coordination for rapid relief and rescue operations.

The IMD representative at the meeting reiterated the likelihood of an early monsoon and committed to providing weekly rainfall updates.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

Here are 6 diverse user comments reflecting Indian perspectives on Gujarat's monsoon preparedness:
R
Rajesh P.
Good to see proactive measures being taken! After the 2005 Mumbai floods and recent Kerala disasters, we can't afford to be casual about monsoons. Hope they implement everything properly at ground level. 🙏
P
Priya M.
As someone from Ahmedabad, I appreciate the focus on urban areas. Many old buildings in walled city areas become death traps during heavy rains. Request officials to pay special attention to drainage systems too - they get clogged every year!
A
Amit K.
All these preparations sound great on paper, but will they reach villages? Last year my relatives in Kutch suffered because relief took 3 days to arrive. Hope the 'Aapda Mitra' training is actually happening at grassroots level.
S
Sunita R.
Monitoring dam levels is crucial! Remember how Sardar Sarovar caused panic last year? Good they're planning ahead this time. Also glad to see ISRO involved - satellite monitoring can really help predict flood patterns accurately.
V
Vikram J.
While the plans look comprehensive, I hope they've allocated enough budget. Disaster management often fails due to fund shortages when actual emergencies happen. Also, what about telecom backups? BSNL networks go down first during heavy rains!
N
Neha T.
As a Surat resident, I've seen how quickly things can go bad. The mock drills and volunteer training are excellent ideas 👍 But please also educate people through TV/radio - many ignore warnings until it's too late. Stay safe everyone! #GujaratMonsoonPrep

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50