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Sheila reviews Capital’s flood control measures

Staff Reporter

Directs departments to work in tandem to meet any situation

‘All set’: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and State Finance Minister A. K. Walia at a meeting of the Apex Committee on Flood Control for 2007 at Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday.

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday reviewed flood control measures in the Capital and directed all the official departments concerned to work in tandem for meeting any situation during the upcoming monsoon season.

As part of the measures, a central control room has been set up, the Flood Control Order-2007 has been approved, equipment has been obtained and deployed and the Army authorities have been asked to be at hand for any exigency.

Chairing a meeting of the Apex Committee for flood control, the Chief Minister also told the local civic bodies and the Health Department to effectively disseminate necessary precautionary information on water-borne diseases, especially in the thickly populated colonies. The Apex Committee also approved the Flood Control Order, 2007, which contains all information on different sectors, control rooms, modus operandi relating to relief and rehabilitation in the event of flood and telephone numbers of all functionaries and departments.

It was also decided that flood control activities be undertaken through nine sector committees, which have started functioning from June 15, in nine districts under the supervision of a Sector Officer of the Deputy Commissioner rank. The work of each sector would be overlooked by a Minister. According to the plan, representatives of all departments concerned have been nominated to these Sector Committees, which would draw up an action plan on different points including preparation of roster of duties, initiating action for installation of communication facilities, earmarking of stores and relief materials, preparation and maintenance of list of vulnerable areas, obtaining data on the status of flood control works and roads particularly in vulnerable areas and location of boats and pumps available in the sector.

It was also announced that a central control room has been made functional in the office of Deputy Commissioner (East), where different agencies and departments have deputed their liaison officers. This control room would receive flood warnings, submit flood situation reports, issue necessary flood warning and direction for evacuation, arrange necessary food articles and relief supplies, maintain liaison with Upper Yamuna Division of the Central Water Commission and maintain a fleet of vehicle.

For the purpose of studying the flood situation in the Yamuna, reference to water level at the Old Railway Bridge would be taken as the basis. The warning level at the Old Bridge has been pegged at 204 metres and the danger level at 204.83 metres. It was decided that the first warning would be issued when the discharge from Hathni Kund Barrage exceeds 1 lakh cusecs, second warning when the discharge exceeds 3 lakh cusecs and the third when the flow exceeds 5 lakh cusecs.

The meeting was also informed that Army has made all arrangements to deal with any situation arising out of flood, and six boats and a number of divers have been kept ready by the office of the Deputy Commissioner (East). The Divisional Commissioner informed that the main control room would be linked with the disaster management system and elaborate arrangements have been made for patrolling by Home Guards and dissemination of warning through electronic media.

Urban Development Minister A. K. Walia instructed all road-owning agencies to simultaneously take care of potholes on roads to avoid any problem during rainy days. He also asked all departments to submit brief reports on their arrangements.

During the meeting the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) reported that it has de-silted all 14 major drains and set up five flood control rooms. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi said it had completed 70 per cent de-silting work on its 1,625 drains and 80 per cent work on 160 drains transferred by the Public Works Department. The MCD has also set up a 24-hour control room and a task force to take care of all vulnerable points.

The Irrigation and Flood Control department reported completion of 80 per cent de-silting works on 16 drains. It said it had obtained 50 boats, 11 trucks, life jackets and dragon lights as part of flood control measures. The Delhi Jal Board reported that all its storm water pumps are functional.

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