The state government has mobilized the relief forces on war footing and has channelized the services of thousands relief personnel, police force, local administration, machinery and equipment to tackle the grim situation in the state prevailing due to the heavy rains and floods. The government is prioritizing the evacuation process of the people stranded due to road blockades and the main focus is to restore the roads and ensure communication services as soon as possible.
This was stated by Principal Secretary Revenue, Onkar Chand Sharma while chairing a meeting of Department of Revenue – Disaster Management Cell regarding the prevailing situation in the state. Restoring communication networks, especially telephone connectivity were important to avoid spread of unnecessary panic amongst the families of those through social media platforms who were stuck at different places in the state.
O.C Sharma said that diesel should be provided to run the telecom towers and other important related infrastructure if power supply was unavailable at the moment. He also laid emphasis on restoring road connectivity and power supplies in the industrial areas of the state, particularly in Baddi. Restoration of heavy vehicles in Baddi is important as these vehicles are the lifeline of the industry and the transportation of the raw materials and finished products were totally dependent on them, he added.
Despite state witnessing a maximum of 3200 percent excess rains in Lahaul Spiti district and a minimum of 500% excessive rainfall in Kinnaur District as compared to normal rainfall, the state government has restored 2800 of the total 4800 affected water supply schemes. Similarly, most of the water pumping schemes have also been restored. Around 885 JCB’s, tractors, tippers and dozers have been deployed to restore road connectivity as 33 bridges were damaged and washed away and over 1100 roads were obstructed
O.C. Sharma directed the heads of all the departments, including the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Vibhag, Transport, Tourism, Industries, Energy, Agriculture and Horticulture, to work on immediate restoration of the damages brought in by the rain fury. He said that most of the roads, communication lines, power supplies, and water pumping stations have been repaired. He further directed the officials to quickly restore the remaining power supplies as soon as possible.
