Himachal: Dam authorities asked to remain on high alert during monsoon season
Director-cum-special secretary, revenue and disaster management DC Rana on Monday directed the dam authorities in the state to remain on high alert during the monsoon season and adhere to established safety standards without fail.
He was chairing a high-level virtual meeting to ensure the safety of dam infrastructure during the monsoon season.
The senior officers from 23 dam authorities along with officers from the energy department participated in the meeting held to assess the current status of dam safety measures across the state, said officials.
The implementation of safety norms in accordance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and guidelines issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC) was reviewed in the meeting, said a statement issued here.
Special emphasis was laid on maintenance of dam structures, readiness and regular updating of emergency action plans (EAPs) and strengthening coordination among concerned departments for an effective and quick response during extreme weather events.
A progress on critical safety components mandated by law, including the installation and operational status of early warning systems such as hooters and voice messaging setups, dam break analysis and the establishment of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) was also reviewed, the statement added.
The discussions were also held regarding the availability of I-SAT phones with docking stations in dam control rooms and barrages to ensure uninterrupted communication during emergencies.
Rana highlighted the importance of robust inter-departmental coordination, real-time data monitoring and prompt dissemination of alerts to people staying downstream.
He said that the state government was committed to minimizing disaster risks and safeguarding both lives and property through timely preparedness and strict compliance with safety protocols.
Detailed presentations were also made during the meeting on the structural and operational safety status of major dams in the state.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Mumbai, Thane, Palghar districts under yellow alert till tomorrow: IMD
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in its five-day forecast issued on May 7 (Saturday) afternoon, has kept Mumbai, Thane, and Palghar districts under a yellow alert till 8.30 am on Sunday – indicating moderate to heavy rainfall to lash over the island city and suburbs. Meanwhile, the Raigad and Ratnagiri districts of coastal Maharashtra have been kept under a yellow alert for the next 48 hours. The weather bureau's forecast shows that no alert has been issued for Mumbai between June 8 (post 8.30 am) and June 11. The rainfall is happening mainly due to the incursion of dry and moist winds, Sushma Nair, scientist at the weather bureau, told The Indian Express. 'There is trough that has developed and is running over Karnataka and Vidharbha region, for which there is an interaction of both moist winds and dry winds which usually leads to a favourable condition for rainfall. The maximum proportion of rainfall may occur between 3 pm and 5 pm today (June 7) for which we had issued a nowcast warning as well and after this duration, the rain will gradually recede,' Nair said. The IMD's data, furthermore, shows that Mumbai's Santacruz observatory recorded 40 mm of rainfall till Saturday morning while the coastal observatory at Colaba had recorded 15 mm of rainfall. Furthermore, the BMC's automatic weather system (AWS) shows that on Saturday, the western suburbs recorded 18.67 mm of rainfall, followed by 8.98 mm in the eastern suburbs and 2.75 mm in the island city.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Assam flood situation severe, 2 fresh deaths take toll to 46
Guwahati: The flood crisis in Assam continues to be grave, with 21 districts facing severe conditions affecting 6.79 lakh people as of Wednesday evening. In the past 24 hours, two more flood-related deaths occurred — one child in Nagaon district and a man in Cachar district. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Since last Friday, floods and landslides in the northeast have claimed 46 lives. Continuous rainfall in Assam and adjacent northeastern states has led to additional flooding. According to the Central Water Commission's Wednesday morning assessment, the Brahmaputra surpassed danger levels at Neamatighat, Tezpur, and Dhubri. Its tributaries, Burhidihing and Kopili, also exceeded danger marks at various locations. In the Barak Valley, the Barak River at Fulertal, BP Ghat, and AP Ghat, alongside Sonai, Rukni, Dhaleswari, Katakhal, and Kushiyara rivers, were above danger levels on Wednesday morning. In Barak Valley, Sribhumi district reports 2.59 lakh affected individuals, while Hailakandi (1.72 lakh) and Nagaon (1.02 lakh) in central Assam face severe impact. ASDMA reports indicate 66 revenue circles and roughly 1,500 villages are affected. Nearly 15,000 hectares of crops are underwater. Present statistics show 405 relief camps housing over 41,000 people, with 111 medical teams active and 130 people rescued by boats. The IMD's Regional Meteorological Centre has issued yellow alerts for Thursday across various districts, including Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Goalpara, South Salmara Mancachar, Karbi Anglong, West Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Cachar, and Hailakandi. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The alerts extend to all districts of Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, and several areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. Weather officials suggest immediate flood relief is unlikely. Manipur continues to face critical flooding, with security forces and volunteers distributing essential supplies. The Imphal River's breaches have damaged over 20 houses, with numerous residential areas submerged. Under Operation Jalrahat-2, Assam Rifles distributed water in Thambalkhong Leirak, Wangkhei, established medical camps in Khumidok village, and conducted rescue operations. Defogging operations continue to address health concerns from stagnant water. "Indian Army established emergency drinking water distribution points and provided 5,750 litres of fresh drinking water at a flood-ravaged village, Soibam Leikai Imphal East district, Manipur, ensuring the residents had access to clean and potable water. The unprecedented floods left the local population struggling for clean drinking water," the defence PRO wrote on X, on Wednesday. During Wednesday's high level task force meeting, Union DoNER minister Jyotiraditya Scindia discussed flood conditions with northeastern state leaders. "Reaffirmed the Centre's full support and readiness to assist the affected states. My team at @MDoNER_India also remains fully committed to extend all necessary assistance. Ensuring the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters in the Northeast continues to be our foremost priority," Scindia wrote on X.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
8 more die in NE floods & landslides, toll rises to 44
Guwahati: At least eight more deaths due to floods and landlsides have been reported in the northeast in the last 24 hours, even as the situation in Assam further deteriorated on Tuesday, with the number of affected people rising from 5.15 lakh reported on Monday to over 6.33 lakh by Tuesday evening. The death toll from floods and landslides in the northeast since last Friday has reached 44 with the fresh casualties. In Assam, officials confirmed single casualties in Hailakandi, Sribhumi, Morigaon, Cachar, Sonitpur and Tinsukia districts within 24 hours. Additionally, one death occurred in Manipur, and a labourer perished in a wall collapse in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district. Prime Minister Narendra Modi contacted Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday morning regarding the situation caused by continuous monsoon rainfall. Sarma wrote on X: "I briefed him on how continuous rainfall in Assam and adjoining states has led to flooding and impacted many lives. I also apprised him of the relief operation undertaken by the state government. The Hon'ble PM expressed concern and assured full support from the Central Government for our relief and rehabilitation efforts. Grateful for his guidance and unwavering support to the people of Assam." According to the Central Water Commission report, the Brahmaputra exceeded danger levels at Neamatighat, Tezpur, while its tributaries Burhidihing and Kopili also surpassed danger marks on Tuesday morning. Twenty-one districts in Assam remain affected, with 2.31 lakh people hit in Sribhumi followed by Nagaon with 1 lakh and Cachar with 89,000 affected individuals. Approximately 1,500 villages are impacted, with over 14,000 hectares of cropland submerged. The ASDMA report indicates about 40,000 people in relief camps. In the Barak Valley, the Barak river alongside Rukni, Dhaleswari and Kushiyara exceeded danger levels. CM Himanta visited Cachar district on Tuesday to evaluate the situation amidst widespread flooding. Sarma highlighted concerns about wetland depletion. In Guwahati, authorities demolished the Institute of Cooperative Management (ICM) on Tuesday to clear the Silsakoo Beel area for developing a water reservoir. This project aims to address urban flooding by restoring the wetland's water retention capacity. Housing minister Jayanta Mallabaruah and senior officials supervised the eviction. In Manipur, govt reports at 7 pm on Tuesday showed flood-affected numbers increased from 56,516 to over 1.08 lakh within 24 hours. Officials reported nine landslides and approximately 1,000 evacuations in the past day. The IMD forecasts heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas of Assam, with heavy rainfall expected in isolated places across Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram & Tripura on Wednesday, as normal to excessive rainfall continues across northeastern states.
