Binay Singh
Floodwater submerges platforms of a ghat in the city
Varanasi: In view of the possible flood threat in Varanasi, the district administration has completed relief and rescue preparations.Flood relief camps and flood posts have been activated, while administrative, relief and rescue systems have been placed on alert in sensitive and potentially flood-affected areas. Mock drills involving the NDRF, SDRF, water police, PAC and Aapda Mitra volunteers have already been conducted to ensure there is no delay in relief and rescue operations during any flood-like situation.Additional district magistrate (finance and revenue) Sadanand Gupta said all concerned departments have been put on alert with full preparedness. He said that in the event of flooding, all departments will work in coordination with the objective of ensuring “zero response time.” He emphasized that advance preparation, continuous monitoring, timely information and swift action are crucial in flood management.Gupta inspected flood relief camps, flood posts and other available resources on Tuesday. He directed officials to ensure that pre-identified relief camps, access routes, essential resources and relief-rescue arrangements in potentially affected areas remain fully functional. He also instructed officials to ensure that affected families can be shifted to safer locations without delay if required. Directions were also issued to maintain effective coordination with the NDRF and other rescue teams for quick emergency response.According to the district administration, 46 flood relief camps have been set up in Varanasi. These include 37 camps in Sadar tehsil, six in Rajatalab and three in Pindra. The total estimated capacity of these camps is 7,392 people. In addition, 15 temporary flood relief camps have been prepared in Sadar tehsil, with an estimated capacity of 3,785 people.A total of 21 flood posts have been established for monitoring and relief-rescue operations, including seven wireless flood posts. The administration has identified 195 villages and localities as flood-prone areas. These include 150 in Sadar tehsil, 24 in Rajatalab and 21 in Pindra.The health department has formed medical teams to provide healthcare facilities at relief camps during floods. The animal husbandry department has also prepared teams of veterinary doctors for animal treatment, along with arrangements for fodder.Essential flood response equipment has been kept ready. A total of 33,300 life jackets have been distributed to boatmen operating boats in the district. Arrangements have been made to ensure assistance from the NDRF, PAC, water police, Army and Air Force for flood rescue and relief operations.Geo-tagging of all identified flood relief camps has been completed. Nodal officers and staff have been deployed at the camps. In case of flooding, Aapda Mitra volunteers and civil defence volunteers will also be deployed as required.The Ganga’s water level is being monitored continuously, with updates being received from the Central Water Commission every two hours. A district-level flood control room has been activated. In case of emergency, citizens can contact the flood control room on 0542-2508550, 0542-2504170, 1077 and mobile number 9140037137.A joint state-level mock exercise involving the district administration, NDRF, SDRF, water police, PAC, revenue, health, animal husbandry, fire services, civil defence and other departments has already been conducted.Along with Varanasi, the administrations in nearby districts Chandauli, Jaunpur and Ghazipur have also intensified preparations in view of the possible flood threat. Concerned departments have been placed on alert and relief-rescue arrangements have been reviewed. The focus is on ensuring that all necessary resources and response systems are fully ready before any flood situation arises.
