Minister Orders 24×7 Vigilance Along River Embankments in Flood-Hit Districts
Chandigarh, August 19
Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal chaired a high-level video conference on Tuesday to assess the flood situation in the state’s affected districts. The meeting included Deputy Commissioners of Hoshiarpur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, along with all Executive Engineers (XENs) and Superintending Engineers (SEs) of the Drainage Department. Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar and Chief Engineer (Drainage) Hardeep Singh Mendiratta were also present.
During the comprehensive review, Minister Goyal issued strict instructions to maintain round-the-clock vigilance along river embankments due to elevated water levels caused by continuous rainfall in the upper catchment areas of Himachal Pradesh. He emphasized the need for heightened alertness to manage the situation effectively.
The minister directed Deputy Commissioners to ensure 24×7 surveillance of river embankments in their jurisdictions, with strict adherence to roster registers for duty assignments to ensure uninterrupted monitoring. He stressed that no deviations from these schedules would be tolerated to guarantee seamless operations.
Deputy Commissioners briefed the minister on the current status of flood-affected areas. Goyal ordered the deployment of robust monitoring teams, comprising field staff positioned at strategic points along vulnerable river stretches. He highlighted that dividing flood-prone areas into sectors would enable swift response mechanisms and timely interventions.
The minister reiterated instructions to establish well-equipped relief camps providing shelter, food, and medical assistance for displaced populations. He called for continuous assessment of the situation and prompt implementation of preventive measures to mitigate risks.
Goyal also directed district administrations and the Water Resources Department to maintain constant communication for a coordinated response across all affected regions, ensuring effective management of the crisis.
