PANAJI: Chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said that 14 disaster management units will be active 24x7 from May to tackle monsoon-related damages and disasters.
Sawant said that if anyone desires to volunteer to be ‘Apada Mitra’ for disaster management, then they can approach the deputy collector and get enrolled, and their services will be utilised.
“Volunteers will be given certificates,” he said, and added that all possible assistance to deal with the impending South-West monsoon will be given and to meet any challenges and eventualities that may pose danger.
The state disaster management meeting was chaired by the CM and attended by revenue minister Atanasio Monserrate and officials of various departments, including fire and police.
The meeting deliberated on various measures to be taken like setting up of control rooms, early warning systems, desilting of drains, gutters and nullhas, pruning of dangerous trees near highways and other roads, closing of roadside works, flood relief measures, checking the readiness of equipment and communication system, advance procurement of necessary relief material and coordinated approach for disaster response at the district level.
Sawant said that at the meeting it was decided to start preparations for next year in case there is a natural calamity. “At the meeting we have alerted everyone and asked to take precautions and training among other things,” he said.
The chief minister said that cases of drowning deaths are coming to the fore and therefore it is necessary to initiate steps to create awareness among the masses to protect and save lives.
He directed the authorities to bring the agriculture department and animal husbandry sectors under the purview of disaster management so that the losses occurring in these sectors could be compensated under disaster management.
