Dibrugarh gears up for monsoon with pre-emptive food security measures

Time of India

13-05-2025

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Dibrugarh: Food, public distribution and consumer affairs department in Dibrugarh has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure food security during the upcoming monsoon season, when the district typically faces flooding challenges.An urgent preparedness meeting was convened on Tuesday, under the chairmanship of additional district commissioner Biraj Boruah, bringing together key stakeholders responsible for maintaining the district's food supply chain during potential flood emergencies.The gathering included representatives from multiple agencies crucial to food distribution logistics, including the director of the Dibrugarh branch of the Indian Food Corporation, transporters, secretaries of cooperative societies, and members of the fair price shop owners' association.The stakeholders deliberated on strategies to ensure uninterrupted food supply to vulnerable areas that often become isolated during heavy flooding.
The meeting specifically emphasised the importance of advance preparation for the months of June, July and Aug — typically the peak monsoon period in Assam.A significant decision made during the meeting was to expedite the distribution of rice under the
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana
(PMGKAY). All fair price shop owners and cooperative society secretaries were instructed to collect their rice allocations for the month of June, July and Aug well in advance from designated storage facilities."Our
priority is to ensure that no resident faces food shortag during the monsoon season. We have adequate rice stocks to meet emergency needs. Our warehouses are strategically located to serve flood-prone areas, and we've already begun repositioning supplies closer to historically vulnerable zones.
Fair price shop owners have been directed to maintain at least three months' worth of supplies beginning in May, so that even if roads are cut off, residents will have access to essential food items," the ADC said.The preparedness strategy also includes identifying alternative transportation routes and establishing floating distribution centres that can reach isolated communities when conventional access becomes impossible.The district administration has also established a 24/7 control room that will monitor water levels and coordinate food distribution throughout the monsoon season. Mobile phone numbers of all key personnel have been widely distributed to enable rapid communication during emergencies.