Arunachal's Ziro gears up for Monsoon: DC leads flood and disaster preparedness drive

As the South-West Monsoon approaches, the Lower Subansiri District Administration has stepped up preparations to ensure public safety and service continuity in the face of potential natural hazards. 

Deputy Commissioner Vivek H.P, IAS, convened an urgent Monsoon Preparedness Meeting at Ziro, bringing together heads of key departments including the District Disaster Management Office (DDMO), administrative officers, police, and other essential service providers.

Drainage and Urban Flooding

The DC reviewed the status of drainage infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent waterlogging and urban flooding. He directed the PWD and Urban Development & Housing Department to immediately clear silts and garbage from drains. Highlighting best practices from cities like Goa and Thiruvananthapuram, Vivek H.P noted how efficient drainage systems in these coastal cities prevent flooding even during intense rainfall.

He also instructed the UD & Housing Department to demolish all illegal structures and toilets built along the banks of the Kley River and other streams in the Ziro Valley, citing sanitation and waterway obstruction concerns. A compliance report on the demolition work has been sought at the earliest.

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Power and Tree Clearance

In light of recurring storm damage in hilly regions, the Forest Department and Department of Power have been asked to remove tall trees near high-tension power lines to prevent power outages due to treefalls during storms and heavy winds.

Water Supply and River Monitoring

The Public Health Engineering (PH&E) Department has been instructed to ensure uninterrupted potable water supply during the monsoon season. Meanwhile, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has been directed to monitor river water levels and provide weekly updates to the DDMO to enable timely intervention.

Public Awareness and Emergency Contacts

To boost public preparedness, the DIPRO (District Information and Public Relations Officer) has been tasked with widely circulating key emergency contact numbers, including:

District Disaster Control Room: 1077

Police & Fire Emergency: 112

Women Helpline: 181

Child Helpline: 1098

These contacts are to be made available through multiple platforms for easy public access during emergencies.

Commitment to Public Safety

The meeting concluded with a collective pledge by all departments to strengthen coordination and maintain high alert throughout the monsoon period. The district administration reiterated its commitment to protecting lives, property, and essential services through proactive disaster response and preparedness.

The meeting was attended by ADC Himani Meena, SDO Hage Tarung, Deputy SP Ojing Lego, DDMO Nima Drema, and DIPRO in-charge Tai Arun, among others.

With this comprehensive monsoon preparedness strategy, Lower Subansiri aims to minimize risk and ensure timely response, reaffirming its dedication to safeguarding the well-being of its citizens.