Jamshedpur: Preventive measures against flash floods, administration on toes  

Jamshedpur, Aug 23: District administration has begun taking preventive measures to contain further horrors of flash floods in the city. Drawing lessons from recent havoc, the administration is acting strong. Dhalbhum sub divisional office reviewed the measures.

“Measures to be taken up for rescue and relief operations in case of flash floods were taken up in the meeting,” said an official.

The agencies concerned have been asked to be on alert. Directives for the arrangement of rescue boats, life jackets, dragon lights, tarpaulin sheets, among other safety equipment have also been issued.

Health department officials have been ordered not to overlook the health and sanitation issues of low-lying and river-bank areas, which are prone to flash floods.

Nirmal Nagar, Ramnagar, Domuhani, Shastri Nagar block no. 2,3,4, Baghbera new colony, Daiguttu, Azadnagar, Mango, Jugsalai, among other areas, have been identified for continuous vigil.

The executive engineer and in charge of the flood-control cell at Subarnarekha multipurpose project (SMP), has been asked to be in regular touch with the officials of Mayurbhanj, Odisha-based Banckwal dam, which is the main source of rise in water-level of the Kharkhai river, to preempt damages.

Release of excess water into Kharkhai river from the Banckwal dam leads to increase in the water-level of the river, often to dangerous limits with a potential threat to the flora and fauna of the Steel City.

The torrential rain coupled with opening of gates of two dams by Odisha and heavy rains and floods in Singhbhum districts brought life to a standstill.

The administration is working on plans to ensure safety and better flood management system during the monsoon season.

“Though the rains in the city have been normal this time, we are working on a strategy to coordinate in such a way that there is no negative impact of rains in the city. We will also streamline the functioning of the Disaster Management Cell,” said the official.

The East Singhbhum administration has also set up a control room that will coordinate with different agencies working to check the effects of incessant rains. “ We are taking preventive measures as this time we are not going to take any chances but steps are being taken to prepare an action plan to combat flood situation. All the notified area committees will supervise the operations in their jurisdictions while the control room will keep in touch with them,” said a district official.