- Collectors will submit daily reports from June 1st; sensitive areas and large water bodies will be monitored 24/7.
A thorough review of the preparations made by various state government departments to deal with natural disasters, especially floods, during the upcoming monsoon season was conducted. A comprehensive strategy was developed covering all essential aspects of disaster management, from the management of relief camps to the management of disasters. An important meeting of the State-Level High-Level Flood Control Committee was held today at the Secretariat (Mahanadi Bhawan) under the chairmanship of Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary, Mr. Vikassheel.
Strict instructions to collectors – daily monitoring to begin from June 1
The Chief Secretary has directed all district collectors and chairpersons of the District Disaster Management Authorities to streamline security and relief arrangements in view of the 2026 monsoon. Beginning June 1st, all collectors will be required to submit daily rainfall data and potential damage to the government. Instructions have been given to immediately appoint special nodal officers for flood control in each district.
Flood control rooms established at state and district levels
In the meeting, the officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department informed that there is a possibility of monsoon becoming active in the state in the month of June. For quick assistance and coordination at the time of disaster, the state level flood control room (control room) has been made functional. Important contact points (State Control Room) at the state level are telephone numbers 0771-2223471, 0771-2221242 and fax number 0771-2223472. Along with this, district level control rooms have also been established in all the district headquarters. In the meeting, the Chief Secretary has given the responsibility to the departments to keep the loss of life to zero in the event of flood and heavy rainfall.
Food, Health and Public Health Engineering Department
Advance stockpiling of rations, salt, kerosene, and life-saving medicines should be ensured in hard-to-reach and vulnerable areas. Special medical teams should be formed for flood-prone areas. Instructions have been given to maintain cleanliness around drinking water sources in rural and urban areas and to ensure adequate availability of bleaching powder.
Water Resources, Civil Defence and Civic Forces
Low-lying areas affected by floods annually should be identified and monitored 24/7. Flood protection equipment and motorboats should be repaired immediately. The city army and civil defense personnel have been instructed to remain on alert. When water levels rise in large dams, it will be mandatory to issue alerts to downstream districts and bordering states at least 12 hours before water releases.
Public Works, Forest and Urban Administration Department
The state’s dilapidated and weakened bridges, culverts, and government buildings should be identified and repaired immediately. Barriers and information boards should be installed at accident-prone sites. In case flood-affected people’s houses are damaged, the Forest Department should maintain adequate stock of bamboo poles at the nearest depot. Urban bodies have been instructed to ensure the continuous cleaning of all small and large drains in cities during the monsoon season, to prevent waterlogging.
Agriculture Department and Weather Station
Heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Meteorological Center should be timely disseminated to district control rooms and the general public. Weather forecasts should be sent to farmers through mobile apps. Officials from the Revenue, Agriculture, and Horticulture departments will jointly survey crop damage caused by floods and submit a prompt report to the government.
Special emphasis on dilapidated buildings and disaster management apps
The Chief Secretary directed that dilapidated and dangerous buildings in urban areas be continuously monitored and residents be shifted to safer locations in a timely manner. Emphasis was also placed on the widespread dissemination of various disaster management and weather forecasting mobile apps for the safety of citizens. The high-level meeting was attended by Mrs. Shammi Abidi, Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department; Mr. Siddharth Komal Pardeshi, Secretary, Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department; Ms. R. Sangeeta, Secretary, Urban Administration Department; Mr. Saransh Mittal, Secretary, Energy Department; Mrs. Sheetal Shashwat Verma, Special Secretary, Finance Department; and senior officials from Home, Health, Public Works, Food, Public Relations, Railways, Doordarshan, Red Cross Society, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.Number-2450/Rathore/Choudhary