DC reviews monsoon preparedness, calls for putting a proper warning system in place

YUPIA, May 25: Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Cheechung Chukhu on Thursday convened a meeting to review the monsoon preparedness with all the departments concerned, along with State Disaster Response Force and the National Disaster Response Force at the DC’s conference hall here.

After reviewing the disaster response preparations by all the departments, the DC called for identifying the places susceptible to landslides and floods, and added that a proper warning system has to be in place to effectively alert the citizens on any eventualities.

Urging the DDMO and NEEPCO to install signage at all vulnerable places along the Pare river, Chukhu said, “Along the Pare river, specific areas like Kasel in Midpu and Bohapahar in Tigdo are like death traps, where more than 20 cases of drowning have been reported in the past few years. Out of these cases, 90 percent are of outsiders, unaware of the river’s turbulence and the water release timings from the Pare dam. Specific signage has to be installed in these places to prevent the youngsters from venturing into dangerous areas,” he added.

Lauding the Automatic Early Warning System (AEWS) installed by NEEPCO at the Dam site, Jampa village, Chiputa, Doimukh’s NEEPCO Colony, Banderdewa (near police station) and at the powerhouse, the DC suggested for exploring options to issue warnings for other disasters as well.

While discussing mushrooming of resorts and restaurants on the banks of the Pare reservoir “without any safety SOP in place”, Chukhu assured to further discuss the matter with all the stakeholders and ensure a safety SOP is formulated. He also suggested for ensuring Miniature Circuit Breakers (MCBs) are installed in all commercial shops to prevent fire accidents by electric short circuits.

DDMO Nima Tashi while highlighting the roles and responsibilities of the departments as well as the ‘Apda Mitras’ sought cooperation from all in mitigating any disaster.

Among others, ADC (HQ) Tabang Bodung, HoDs, administrative officers, representatives from SDRF, NDRF, NEEPCO and Pare Hydro Projects attended the meeting. (DIPRO)