Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday directed all the departments, including irrigation and water resources to remain pointing out that there is a possibility of an increase in the water level of various rivers in the state in the next few days alert due to heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
While reviewing efforts being made following heavy rains in various districts of the state in a high level meeting, the CM said, “So far this year, 24 districts have received more than average rainfall, while 31 districts have recorded less than average rainfall. However, according to meteorologists, there is a possibility of good rainfall in these districts in the month of July. Constant monitoring of the changing weather conditions should be done.”
He said that there have been reports of loss of life and property due to lightning at many places In the last few days. “Assistance should be provided to such victim families immediately. This year, incidents of lightning are increasing in eastern UP. It is necessary to develop a better system for accurate forecasting of celestial lightning (early warning system),” he said.
Yogi said, “This is necessary to keep loss of human and cattle lives to the minimum. The central government is also cooperating in the process of installing rain gauges in every village, this work should be completed expeditiously.”
He directed, “Maintain dialogue with Revenue and Relief, Agriculture, State Disaster Management, Remote Sensing Authority, the Indian Meteorological Department, and Central Disaster Management Authority and develop such a system, so that common people can get accurate weather information on time.”
The CM said that continuous monitoring should be done in the event of flood or excessive rainfall. “Rise in the water level of the Ganga has been observed in many places. Similarly, continuous monitoring of the water level of all the rivers should be done. Flood units of NDRF, SDRF, PAC and disaster management teams should be in active mode in the affected districts. The help of Aapda Prabandhan Mitra, volunteers of Civil Defense, should be taken as per requirement,” he said.
He said, “We have to make concerted efforts to deal with floods and water logging. The joint team of the Magistrate, Municipal Commissioner, Executive Officer and Police should make arrangements according to the local needs to avoid water-logging. District Magistrate, MP, MLA, District Panchayat President, Mayor, and Chairman of the urban body will discuss the solution of water-logging. Necessary action should be taken.”
Yogi said that paddy sowing is going on normally in all the districts this year which is encouraging. “As per the latest report, out of 58.5 lakh hectares, 18 lakh hectares have been planted. A digital platform should be developed to monitor the progress of paddy sowing so that the exact status of district-wise plantations can be known on time,” he said.
He said that officer-in-charge of the level of Assistant Engineer has been nominated on all the sensitive embankments and they should remain alert mode round the clock. “The embankments should be continuously inspected and monitored by the local officers and employees. Keep an eye on the condition of rat holes and rain cuts during the initial days of rain. Patrolling of embankments should be done continuously,” he said.
The CM directed to make arrangements of boats, relief material and petromax well in advance. “There should be no delay in providing relief work in flood/excessive rain-affected areas. Every necessary help should be made available to the affected families immediately,” he said.
He said that it should be ensured that there is no shortage or artificial shortage of urea anywhere. “Sufficient urea should be available to the farmers on time,” he said.
Yogi said that in villages facing floods and water-logging, animals should be shifted to a safer place as per the requirement. “For this, the place should be selected keeping in mind the condition of the districts. There should be adequate arrangements for animal fodder at these sites,” he said.
