Round-the-clock monitoring in Punjab monsoon season

With the monsoon knocking the neighbouring states, Punjab Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria on Thursday directed the Department’s officials to be ready to deal with any possible emergency like situation due to heavy rains.

He directed all the officers and employees of the Department to monitor the situation round-the-clock in the monsoon season, and no negligence will be tolerated.

Earlier, during the state level flood protection committee meeting held on May 8, Sarkaria had directed that such meetings would be held in the month of February from the next year so that adequate flood protection arrangements can be get done on time.

Sarkaria assured that the Water Resources and Revenue Department would discharge its duty with utmost honesty and responsibility to prevent the floods and strict action will be taken against any officer or employee in case of negligence.

Spokesperson said that Rs 25 crore was sanctioned for urgent flood preventive works and the cleaning of drains in the meeting of the State Level Flood Control Board.

Besides, additional funds of Rs 9.70 crore, Rs 60 lakh per district heavy hit by flood and Rs 25 lakh per district for less affected, have been set aside to deal with any emergency like situation due to floods.

These funds will be utilized in an emergency situation as per the instructions of the concerned Deputy Commissioners.

Giving detail about the preventive measures, spokesperson said that the Department has 45 machines, which have been deployed at different places for cleaning of drains.

Apart from this, 24X7 hour running flood control rooms have been set-up at district and tehsil levels, and are further connected with the State Flood Control Room set up at Head Office of Water Resources Department in Chandigarh’s Sector-18 and Punjab Civil Secretariat at Chandigarh.

Spokesperson said that all arrangements have been made to inform the common people about any kind of emergency, such as heavy rainfall or additional water release from the dams.

All officers and employees of the department would not leave their stations without the permission of the competent authority, said the spokesperson while assuring that the State Government has made adequate arrangements to tackle any adverse situation during the monsoon season and people's lives and property will be fully protected.