Prayagraj: In view of the rising trend of twin rivers of Ganga and Yamuna in Sangam City, the district authorities on Wednesday claimed to have made elaborate arrangements for flood control and relief operations.Apart from conducting mock drills, the local administration has planned to set up as many as 98 flood relief posts at six tehsils which often witness floods during monsoon.Duties of SDRF and PAC (flood control) will be assigned as per the requirement. Tenders have been floated for logistic arrangements at shelter houses\ flood relief camps to be set up in case of floods.Officials said that the water level of twin rivers usually rises in the third or fourth week of July depending on the rainfall as well as release of water from dams but a strategy has already been drafted.District Magistrate (Prayagraj) Manish Kumar Verma told TOI that district administration has completed all preparations in view of floods and officials \ employees will be assigned duties accordingly. He, however, said, “Flood relief posts will be activated and those to shifted shelter house will be given all facilities”.In urban pocket, district’s Sadar Tehsil is the most vulnerable to floods. Additionally, waterlogging issues arise in several urban areas situated along the riverbanks, including Baghada, Rajapur, and Salori. This time, as many as 1,500 trained volunteers as ‘Apda Mitra’ would be deployed for relief and rescue operations whenever required. They have been selected under the directives of the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority. ‘Apda Mitras’ comprises NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Scouts and Guides, and Nehru Yuva Kendra volunteers.The state government has put in place comprehensive arrangements for relief and rescue operations during floods, earthquakes, fires and other emergencies. Besides the State Disaster Management Authority, ‘Apda Mitra’ teams will be deployed in 25 districts, including Prayagraj, to support the administration during disasters.DM, meanwhile, said “ Arrangements for cleanliness, sanitation facilities, drinking water, medicines, food, and other essential amenities will be ensured at all flood relief posts. The objective will be to enable the immediate relocation of affected people to safe areas.”DM also mentioned that, this time, special mapping has been conducted for the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and young children residing in flood-prone areas. This will facilitate rapid relief and rescue operations on a priority basis during emergencies.SDRF teams are deployed in the district, while jal police and PAC teams are also being assigned to maintain a strict watch at vulnerable areas.
