Maintain extra vigil in 24 districts prone to floods, CM asks officials

Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday reviewed the ongoing flood management efforts and asked officials to be extra vigilant in the 24 districts that have been flagged as ‘highly sensitive’.
He also asked the Jal Shakti minister and two ministers of state to go to the field and review the preparedness of flood control measures.
“Ensure sufficient reserve stock is collected for flood emergencies in highly sensitive and sensitive areas.Adequate lighting and necessary equipment should be arranged at these sites. Channelisation of rivers and securing of embankments should be completed at the earliest while keeping a close watch on rivers coming from Nepal and Uttarakhand. Flood bulletins and weather forecasts should be issued regularly for the convenience of the public and for better management of relief and rescue operations,” he said.
The India Meteorological Department has sounded an alert for the state for July 2 and 3. “Regular monitoring of flood and heavy rainfall situations is essential. The NDRF, SDRF and PAC flood units, and disaster management teams should remain active 24x7. Utilise the services of home guards and disaster relief volunteers. Develop a comprehensive action plan detailing deployment schedules and locations. There must be seamless coordination among all agencies involved for efficient disaster response and management,” the CM said. Yogi also directed officials to ensure that there was no delay in providing relief in flooded areas.
“Large boats should be used for rescue work and there must be sufficient life jackets at hand,” he said.
For the safety of animals trapped in floods, he said there should be provision to relocate them to safe areas.
“Cow shelters should have enough fodder while vaccination of animals should be completed on time. Fresh food should be arranged in the flood relief camps,” Yogi said.
The CM further said those farmers whose crops are damaged due to excessive rains should be compensated promptly.
“It is crucial to keep farmers informed about favourable farming conditions through regular weather updates. All electricity poles, roads, wires etc should be repaired urgently in flood prone areas,” he said.
A govt spokesperson said flood relief control rooms will be set up at both the state and district levels and work 24x7. UP Police Radio Headquarters has set up 113 wireless centres in flood-affected districts, which will remain operational throughout the monsoon season.
The official added that the 24 districts that have been categorised as highly sensitive to floods are Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur, Basti, Bahraich, Bijnor, Siddharthnagar, Ghazipur, Gonda, Ballia, Deoria, Sitapur, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Mau, Farrukhabad, Shravasti, Budaun, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Pilibhit, and Barabanki. In addition to this, Saharanpur, Shamli, Aligarh, Bareilly, Hamirpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Rampur, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr, Moradabad, Hardoi, Varanasi, Unnao, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur and Kasganj districts are considered sensitive.
He added that the CM has asked officials to complete the ongoing drainage and channelisation projects in Ambedkar Nagar, Balrampur, Barabanki, Sitapur, and Shravasti at the earliest.
The department of health has been directed to prepare health kits and distribute them in districts. “These kits must have essential items like chlorine tablets, ORS and fever medications. Immediate medical assistance should be provided to individuals affected by snake bites,” the spokesperson said.