Gangtok, May 25 (IPR): A review meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Shri S.C. Gupta, to discuss the issues relating to building up of the Severe Cyclone Storm ‘Yaas’ over the Bay of Bengal. The meeting was attended by concerned Secretaries/Heads of Departments, and joined online by the District Collectors and Superintendents of Police of all four districts.
The meeting discussed in detail matters pertaining to maintenance of power supply, road and communication infrastructure during this period.
It was decided that alternate power supply arrangements would be ensured in District Hospitals, STNM Hospital, and various Covid Care Centres, so that power supply is not disrupted in case of heavy rainfall.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the situation of power supply to the Oxygen Generation Plant. It was reported that the alternate arrangements are already in place.
It was informed that the Roads & Bridges Department has put all its field engineers on alert and due coordination is being maintained with GREF and NHIDCL to ensure that disruption to road communication is minimum, and vulnerable points are covered with necessary equipment and manpower.
Likewise, the State Disaster Management Agency has alerted the NDRF and SDRF to be on alert, and a warning has been issued for low lying vulnerable areas by the respective District Collectors. It was informed that constant vigil is being maintained by the Police all along the river banks to ensure timely alert.
It was emphasized in the meeting that people in general are advised to refrain from entering the low-lying river bank areas for the next 72 hours. Evacuation plans have been chalked out by the respective District Disaster Management Authority in case of heavy rainfall.
