Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta presided over a winter preparedness meeting at Dharamshala last evening and directed all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Deputy Commissioners, who joined the meeting virtually, to make comprehensive arrangements in view of the upcoming snow and rainfall during the winter season.
He asked all concerned departments to remain vigilant and ensure that snow-clearing machinery is stationed at strategic locations so that people do not face inconvenience during heavy snowfall.
He instructed district administrations to designate department-wise nodal officers for effective coordination during winter preparedness and response. These officers will be responsible for overseeing and managing all winter-related activities.
Emphasising the importance of prevention and timely action, the Chief Secretary said that all relevant departments must proactively implement the guidelines issued by the HP State Disaster Management Authority to avert risks to human life and property. He stressed the need for effective dissemination of weather advisories, early warnings and forecasts.
“Warning signals must be clear, timely and easy to understand,” he added.
Gupta directed officials to identify high-risk zones prone to fire incidents, noting that most domestic fire cases occur during winter, especially in densely populated areas. He called for a comprehensive response plan to reduce fire incidents and ensure a well-coordinated mechanism for the safety of both urban and rural populations. The Fire Department was instructed to conduct sensitisation activities in vulnerable areas and to prioritise fire audits of critical buildings, including hospitals, offices and schools.
To ensure readiness for emergencies, he directed that essential relief items be stockpiled in advance, with pre-contracting undertaken as per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, based on district-specific needs and past experiences. He also stressed the need for advance stocking of fuel, food grains, LPG and other essential supplies in snow-prone areas.
The Chief Secretary strongly recommended that PWD, Jal Shakti Vibhag (JSV) and HPSEBL strategically pre-position their manpower and machinery so that restoration works can be started promptly during disruptions. He called for the formation of joint response teams consisting of multiple agencies to coordinate efforts during snowfall. He further instructed departments to carry out preventive maintenance of all power lines and ensure an uninterrupted electricity and drinking water supply during winter. Special or alternative power backup arrangements must be made for hospitals, communication networks and pumping stations, he added.
The Chief Secretary also directed the formulation of a dedicated winter traffic management plan to ensure smooth traffic flow and enhance safety in major tourist destinations that witness heavy winter footfall. He instructed departments to ensure daily testing of ISAT phones for emergency use. He noted that all police stations in the State have been equipped with V-SAT facilities for video conferencing during emergencies.
Highlighting the importance of prompt response, the Chief Secretary directed the district administrations to keep search and rescue teams on constant alert to effectively handle any emergency situation during the winter months.
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