Pre-monsoon preparations intensify, Chief Secretary chairs high-power flood control committee meeting

June 1 onwards, Collectors to submit daily reports, 24-hour surveillance on sensitive areas and large reservoirs. Raipur, May 25, 2026/ Preparations made by various departments of the state government to deal with natural disasters, especially floods, during the upcoming monsoon were thoroughly reviewed. A comprehensive strategy was prepared on all essential aspects related to disaster management, from the management of relief camps. A significant meeting of the state-level high-level flood control committee was held today at the Secretariat (Mahanadi Bhavan) 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 District Disaster Management Authorities of the state to streamline security and relief arrangements in view of Monsoon 2026. All Collectors will be mandated to send information about the rainfall situation and its potential damage to the government daily from the upcoming June 1. Instructions have been given to immediately complete the appointment of special nodal officers for flood control in each district. Flood control rooms established at state and district levels Officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department informed the meeting that the monsoon is expected to become active in the state in June. A state-level flood control room has been made operational for quick assistance and coordination during disasters. Important contact numbers (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 district headquarters. In the meeting, the Chief Secretary assigned responsibilities to departments to ensure zero loss of life in case of floods and heavy rainfall. Food, Health, and Public Health Engineering Departments Advance stocking of ration, salt, kerosene, and life-saving medicines should be ensured in inaccessible and sensitive areas. Special medical teams should be formed for flood-prone areas. Instructions have been given to maintain sanitation around drinking water sources in rural and urban areas and to ensure adequate availability of bleaching powder. Water Resources, Nagar Sena (Civic Army), and Civil Defense Identify low-lying areas affected by floods every year and maintain round-the-clock surveillance there. Repair of flood prevention equipment and motorboats should be done immediately. Nagar Sena and Civil Defense personnel have been asked to be on alert. It will be mandatory to issue an alert to lower districts and neighboring states at least 12 hours before releasing water from large dams when their water level rises. Public Works, Forest, and Urban Administration Departments Identify dilapidated and weakened bridges, culverts, and government buildings in the state and get them repaired immediately. Barriers and information boards should be installed at accident-prone spots. In case of damage to houses of flood victims, the Forest Department should maintain adequate stock of bamboo and poles at nearby depots. Urban local bodies have been instructed to ensure continuous cleaning of all small and big drains in cities during the monsoon, so that waterlogging does not occur. Agriculture Department and Meteorological Center Heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Meteorological Center should be conveyed to district control rooms and the general public in a timely manner. Farmers should be sent weather forecasts through mobile apps. Revenue, Agriculture, and Horticulture department officials will jointly survey the crop damage due to floods and submit a quick report to the government. Special emphasis on dilapidated buildings and disaster management apps The Chief Secretary directed continuous monitoring of dilapidated and dangerous buildings in urban areas and shifting the residents to safer locations in time. Emphasis was also placed on wide publicity of various disaster management and weather forecasting mobile apps for the safety of citizens. The high-level meeting was attended by Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management Department Mrs. Shammi Abidi, Secretary of Agriculture Development and Farmers Welfare Department Mr. Siddharth Komal Pardeshi, Secretary of Urban Administration Department Ms. R. Shangeeta, Secretary of Energy Department Mr. Saransh Mittar, Special Secretary of Finance Department Mrs. Shital Shashwat Verma, along with senior officials from Home, Health, Public Works, Food, Public Relations, Railways, Doordarshan, Red Cross Society, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited.