Jagdish Thind
Fazilka, August 17, 2019: Acting on the warning of heavy downpour in next two-three days in the state issued by weather department and release of excess water from the Bhakhra Dam, Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Mr. Manpreet Singh Chhatwal today held an emergency meeting with all the officials of civil and police administration to ensure the relief arrangements made in the district. He asked the officers and people residing along the banks of river and other water resources to remain alert day and night.
Presiding over a meeting at the District Administrative Complex here, Mr. Chhatwal directed the officers to keep their mobile operating all the time and they should be remained in constant touch with the people living in areas affected by floods during last monsoon seasons so that they could be given immediate relief in any untoward situations.
Advising people living near the banks of the Sutlej River, the Bikaner Canal and other sensitive water resources and other low lying areas to remain on alert and refrain from moving near these water bodies, the Deputy Commissioner said that 36,500 cusec excessive water is being released from the Dam till today morning after the rise in water at the Dam due to heavy rains in the hilly areas. Apart from this, the Meteorological department has also issued warning of heavy rainfall in the state in the next 72 hours. "Because of this, the level of water in rivers, canals and other water resources increases, which would create risk in the low lying areas", he said, adding that therefore, the people residing on the banks of the rivers must avoid going near the river and should take full precaution for safeguarding themselves.
Mr. Chhatwal said that the district administration was keeping a close watch on the entire situation adding that they were already fully geared up to face any unforeseen eventuality arising out of the prevailing circumstances. The Deputy Commissioner said that the officers of the district administration have also been issued necessary instructions to tackle the emergent situation efficaciously. However, the Deputy Commissioner appealed the people that there was no need to panic as the district administration was fully at their disposal. He said that the district administration was duty-bound to extend a helping hand to these people, in case of any sort of emergency.
He said that the district level flood control room number 01638-262153 and the Police administration control room numbers 01638-262800 and 85588-00900 are working 24x7. Likewise, flood control rooms have been set up at tehsil level at the office of the sub divisional magistrate and at the offices of the health, PSPCL and water supply departments, which are operational 24 hours. He asked the SDMs to ensure identification of flood-hit areas. He also directed the police department to ensure that wireless communication equipments should be given to the concerned officers, besides establishing posts near burji number 17, 22, 26 and 27 from village Mahatam Nagar to Kawan Wali.
He directed the Executive Engineers of canals and Drainage Department to ensure cleanliness of drains and canals in the district. He directed health, water supply, animal husbandry, telephone, PSPCL and RTA departments' officers to ensure medical teams, potable water, fodder for animals, communication services, power and vehicles, respectively at the relief centers in the event of floods. In addition, he asked for pre-identification of divers for flood-affected areas.
SDM Fazilka Mr. Subhash Khatak, SDM Abohar Madam Poonam Singh, SDM Jalalabad Mr. Keshav Goyal, SP (Narcotics) Mr. Jagdish Bishnoi, Executive Officer MC Fazilka Mr. Rajneesh Kumar, Deputy DEO Mr. Pradeep Khanagwal and District Education Coordinator Mr. Pammi Singh, Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Rajinder Prashad, SMO Dabwala Kalan Mr. Chandra Mohan Kataria, BDPO Khuian Server Mr. Bhupinder Singh, BDPO Mr. Harjit Singh, PSPCL XEN Mr. Sudeep Sohal and Mr. Suresh Kumar, BSF Deputy Commandant Mr. Jatinder Kumar, Deputy Commandant Mr. Lakmi Chand Beniwal, Assistant Commandant Mr. Rakesh Ranjan, Inspector Mr. Prince Kumar Namdev and other officers were present during the meeting.