Assam: Minister Kaushik Rai reviews flood preparedness in Cachar

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: Minister Kaushik Rai on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the conference hall of the District Commissioner’s office to assess the preparedness for flood management ahead of the monsoon.

The session brought together a wide spectrum of stakeholders, including Cachar District Commissioner Mridul Yadav, MLAs Mihir Kanti Shome, Dipayan Chakraborty, Nihar Ranjan Das, and Misbahul Islam Laskar, along with senior officials from various departments entrusted with disaster management, infrastructure, education, and water resources. At the heart of the discussions was the pressing need to manage drainage congestion and avert flood-related disruptions in Silchar and adjoining areas.

Minister Rai underscored the urgency of adopting a proactive approach to flood management. He emphasized that flood preparedness must be viewed not as a routine protocol but as a critical public safety measure, directly tied to protecting both life and infrastructure. He directed all departments to ensure the smooth functioning of drainage systems, operational status of sluice gates, robustness of embankments, and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities in vulnerable zones.

Among the key directives issued during the meeting was the immediate inspection and readiness of the sluice gate located near the international border, with a call for seamless coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF). The Executive Engineer of the Water Resources Department was instructed to submit a detailed report on the condition and staffing of these gates to the District Disaster Management Authority. Furthermore, the minister mandated the formation of an Embankment Monitoring Committee by May 31 to keep a vigilant eye on river embankment conditions throughout the district.

The Minister directed that schools be prepared to serve as temporary shelters in the event of flooding. Instructions in this regard are to be issued by the Inspector of Schools and Circle Development Coordinators, ensuring that contingency plans are well in place at the grassroots level. The meeting reinforced the government’s tri-pronged approach towards flood management: mitigation of risks, effective response in emergencies, and safeguarding public health and hygiene.

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