Port Blair, May 07: A Monsoon Preparedness Exercise is planned to be organized between 11th to 20th May, 2015 in South Andaman District. In this connection a review meeting was held on 04.05.2014 under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner, South Andaman with the government departments and PRI’s. In the meeting, the Dy. Commissioner took review of the steps need to be taken in this regard by the PRIs, APWD, Rural Development Department and District Officials.
The Deputy Commissioner asked various government departments including Revenue officials and Panchayat representatives to identify dangerous trees in the departmental buildings, revenue land and alongside the road and to take necessary action for cutting of such trees. If required provision of section 133 Cr.PC may also be invoked. The DC also requested PRI’s to conduct a special drive during the exercise for cleaning and de-clogging of drains. The APWD has been asked to clear culverts and drainages situated on main roads. The revenue officials have been directed to ensure removal of encroachments on drains which seriously hampers the free flow of rain water in the drains. The Deputy Commissioner also directed to handover one key of all relief godowns under the control of District Administration to concerned Gram Pradhan, so that in the case of any disaster relief can be distributed early.
The Deputy Commissioner assured PRIs the full support of District Administration in conducting the exercise. The DC also directed to start similar exercise in Havelock & Neil Islands simultaneously. It is also decided to hold similar exercise in regular intervals so that focused disaster preparedness exercise by means of de-clogging drains and de-silting channels can become a regular practice in the district.
