As Assam braces for the upcoming monsoon season, the Chirang district administration has taken a proactive stance by organizing a flood preparedness review meeting. The meeting, held at the District Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Kajalgaon, brought together officials from multiple departments to evaluate the district’s readiness for possible flooding. The review, chaired by Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, highlighted critical strategies to protect lives, livestock, and infrastructure in the flood-prone region.
Strategic Planning Led by Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma
Minister Urkhao Gwra Brahma, who oversees Handloom & Textiles and Soil Conservation, led the flood preparedness meeting and emphasized coordination among all government departments. He stressed the need for immediate, result-oriented action to ensure that vulnerable areas are well-prepared for flooding incidents, which are common during the monsoon.
He directed departments such as the Water Resources Department (WRD) and the Public Works Department (PWD) to finish the repair and reinforcement of embankments and roads before the heavy rains begin. The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) was tasked with overseeing coordination among departments and ensuring proper communication protocols are in place.
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Role of Health, Veterinary, and Agriculture Departments
The Health Department was instructed to maintain adequate stock of essential medicines, especially for waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, which often spike during floods. Mobile health units and medical teams will be on standby for deployment to affected areas.
The Veterinary Department is preparing for emergency livestock care, with contingency plans for animal shelters and feed distribution. The Agriculture Department was advised to educate farmers on crop insurance schemes and flood-resilient farming practices to minimize agricultural losses.
Community Involvement and Early Warning Systems
One of the most notable points of the meeting was the emphasis on community-based disaster management. The administration announced the formation of local flood monitoring committees, comprising community leaders, panchayat members, and volunteers. These committees will monitor embankment conditions, report breaches, and assist in evacuations.
The district is also set to leverage the Flood Early Warning System (FLEWS) developed by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). FLEWS uses satellite data and hydrological models to provide early alerts up to 48 hours in advance. These alerts will be shared through SMS, loudspeakers, and local media to ensure timely dissemination of information.
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Relief Camp Setup and Logistics Preparedness
The administration has identified several relief camp locations across flood-prone blocks in Chirang. These camps will be equipped with basic facilities, including drinking water, sanitation, electricity, and health care. Dry food stocks and water purification tablets have been pre-positioned at various storage units.
Coordination with NGOs and civil society organizations has also been initiated to provide support in distributing relief materials and running community kitchens if mass displacement occurs.
Use of Technology and Data for Risk Mapping
The meeting also discussed the integration of geospatial data and flood risk maps to identify high-risk zones and plan evacuation routes. The Revenue and Forest Departments are collaborating to digitize land records and mark vulnerable wetlands, riverbanks, and human settlements to develop a more accurate disaster mitigation plan.
Building a Resilient Chirang
The flood preparedness review meeting in Chirang district underlines Assam’s broader commitment to disaster risk reduction and resilience building. With strategic planning, cross-departmental coordination, community engagement, and technological support, the district is aiming to reduce the impact of floods significantly.
By taking timely actions and reinforcing infrastructure and communication systems, the Chirang administration hopes to set a benchmark for other flood-prone districts in Assam.
