District-Level Meeting on Drought Assessment and Water Shortages Due to Low Rainfall, Held Under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner Shimla, Anupam, emphasized the need for all departments to be prepared to address drought-like conditions in the district. He stated that forest fires, resulting from the lack of rainfall, can cause significant damage to forests, but these can be prevented through effective coordination and prompt action.
The Deputy Commissioner chaired a meeting at the Bachat Bhawan today to assess the drought situation and discuss water shortages due to insufficient rainfall.
He highlighted the invaluable role forests play for everyone, emphasizing that no one wants to see them destroyed. To protect forests from fire incidents, he stressed the importance of improved coordination among all stakeholders. During the meeting, the meteorological department officials mentioned that this year, both Shimla district and the entire state have experienced lower-than-usual rainfall and snowfall. They also indicated that rainfall and snowfall are expected again towards the end of February.
Phase One: Selection of One Village Per Sub-Division
The Deputy Commissioner suggested that under the first phase, each sub-division should select one village with a dense population where fire tenders may have difficulty reaching. He proposed providing training to the youth in these villages on how to combat fire incidents so that firefighting efforts can begin before the arrival of fire department officials, thereby preventing significant damage. Additionally, he suggested constructing water tanks in village forests to use the stored water for firefighting in case of a fire outbreak.
Sharing of Numbardar Contact Details and Inviting Disaster Mitras to Gram Sabha Meetings
He urged that Numbardars, who act as a bridge between the administration and the public, share their updated contact numbers with all Block Development Officers. This would allow villagers to inform Numbardars about fire incidents in rural areas. Moreover, Disaster Mitras should be invited to the upcoming Gram Sabha meeting on March 9, 2025, to raise awareness among the public.
Cleaning of Water Sources in March
The Deputy Commissioner instructed all Block Development Officers to ensure the cleaning of water sources during March 2025. He emphasized the importance of cleaning these sources before the onset of the summer season to protect people from waterborne diseases. Given the reduced rainfall, he warned that water-related diseases could affect the population, making it crucial to clean water sources. He also directed the identification of areas with water shortages in the district, and where water tankers are used, water guards should be appointed to ensure equal distribution.
No Drought Conditions in the District, Crop Status Reported as Good
During the meeting, agriculture department officials confirmed that the district is not currently facing drought conditions, and all crops are in good condition with no reports of damage. They also noted that 80% of the crops have been sown, and seeds have been distributed to farmers as per the targeted quantities. Similarly, horticulture department officials stated that while crop cultivation has been slightly reduced due to low rainfall, over 75,000 plants have been distributed through government supplies and over 150,000 plants through non-government sources to farmers and gardeners. The Deputy Commissioner directed the agriculture and horticulture departments to prepare a district-level action plan to effectively manage any potential drought situation and encourage farmers and gardeners to insure their crops.
Instructions to Departments to Stay Prepared
Anupam Kashyap directed the animal husbandry department to ensure adequate fodder supplies and prevent diseases among livestock. He also instructed the food supplies department to guarantee sufficient food grain stocks and take necessary measures to protect storage warehouses from fires and other accidents. He further directed the health department to ensure the availability of medicines in all areas of the district and the women and child development department to ensure adequate supplementary nutrition in all Anganwadi centers.
Food Safety Van to Raise Awareness
The Deputy Commissioner ordered that a food safety van be used in March to raise awareness, especially among dhaba and restaurant owners. Given the water scarcity, the use of contaminated water could pose a health risk, so all food outlets will be educated about maintaining cleanliness through the food safety van.
Additional District Magistrate Jyoti Rana welcomed all participants and presented the agenda items. The meeting was attended by all sub-divisional magistrates, forest division officials, and officers from various departments.
