Delhi gears up to face challenge of Monsoon and floods

New Delhi, Jun 20 (UNI) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit today reviewed flood control measures in the national capital.

She directed all agencies concerned at an Apex Committee meeting to concentrate on all vulnerable areas and pockets, which were normally affected by the floods.

The meeting was attended by Delhi Urban Development and Public Works Department Minister A K Walia, Delhi Development Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan, Delhi Industries Minister Mangat Ram Singhal, Delhi Chief Secretary R Narainswamy, Divisional Commissioner, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Delhi Jal Bpard CEO, Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner and other senior officers from New Delhi Municipal Council, PWD, Transport, BSES, MTNL, Urban Development, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Army, Delhi Development Authority, Food and Civil Supplies and Fire Brigade, besides members of the Apex Committee.

Ms Dikshit directed Divisional Commissioner and MCD Commissioner to coordinate the flood control measures. The Divisional Commissioner would function as the nodal officer.

A central flood control room had become operational at office of the DC (East) which would function round the clock upto October 15 or till monsoon withdrew.

This control room would issue necessary flood warnings and directions for evacuation, arrange necessary food articles and arrange relief supplies and maintain liason with all concerned agencies.

Apart from this I and FC department had also established a separate control room at ISBT Delhi. Nine sector Committees had also been made functional for nine districts in Delhi. The work of each sector shall be supervised by a cabinet minister. 25 other control rooms had been established to streamline functioning of flood control personnel at local level.

In all 101 pump sets including 75 portable diesel pump sets, 35 wireless including ten mobile wireless, 50 boats, 471 lifejackets and 58,500 EC bags and sufficient number of divers had been deployed to deal with any situation.

For purpose of studying the flood situation in river Yamuna, reference to water level at old railway bridge was taken as basis.

The warning level for Yamuna at this point was 204.00 m and the danger level was 204.83 m.

The highest flood level recorded was 207.49 m in 1978. the scenario at Yamuna bed had changed with shifting of 'jhuggies' and Delhi government had synchronized its flood control measures accordingly.

Desilting of drains by various agencies was also reviewed in the meeting. Ms Dikshit instructed concerned departments to complete the desilting exercise as early as possible.

All the agencies had also been asked to identify low-lying areas and ensure proper arrangements of dewatering during heavy rainfall.

Concerned revenue Deputy Commissioners had also been directed to personally monitor evacuation and temoporary resettlement of affected persons in case of flash flood like situation.

PWD and MCD would set up special task force for undertaking urgent repairs on damaged roads due to water logging and would also concentrate on immediate repair of roads after road cutting during monsoon season.

Health Department would make provision for sufficient stock of essential medicines in advance for setting up of first aid posts/ mobile dispensaries at relief camps and visit of medical teams to the flood affected areas.

Divisional commissioner may also seek assistance form Army in controlling flood, evacuating marooned people and distribution of food supplies.

UNI IP SK RK1840