The Uttarakhand government will conduct mock drills to test the safety of dams during the upcoming monsoon season. This decision was taken during a meeting chaired by Dr. Ranjit Kumar Sinha, Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation. The mock drills are scheduled for the first fortnight of July to assess the preparedness and security arrangements of the dams.
During these drills, the functionality of sensors and sirens will be checked, and the effectiveness of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be evaluated in real-time emergency scenarios. Dr. Sinha emphasized the importance of a robust security system for dams and barrages.
Strict Instructions to Project Representatives
Dr. Sinha directed all dam projects to install automatic sensors that trigger sirens when water levels exceed safe limits. He also instructed project representatives to appoint a nodal officer for coordination with the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) and to share their SOPs and operational manuals with USDMA.
Furthermore, Dr. Sinha mandated the provision of shadow control of the siren and the Application Programming Interface (API) of the sensors to the State Disaster Operations Center. He emphasized marking danger points along rivers to prevent risks to people from sudden water level rises.
Specific Instructions for Vishnuprayag and Dhauliganga Dam Projects
The Vishnuprayag Dam Project of JP Group was instructed to promptly share its SOP, Emergency Action Plan, and Shadow Control with the State Emergency Operations Center of USDMA. For the Dhauliganga Dam Project, Dr. Sinha ordered the installation of a 360-degree siren with a five-kilometer range in Dharchula to ensure the safety of residents, as the current siren system is inadequate.
Tehri Dam’s Reduced Water Storage Capacity
In the meeting, THDC’s AGM AK Singh reported that the water storage capacity of the Tehri Dam has decreased from 2615 million cubic meters to 2500 million cubic meters due to silt deposition.
Show Cause Notice to UP Irrigation Department
Dr. Sinha expressed dissatisfaction with the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department for not installing an early warning system in dams and barrages under their control in Uttarakhand. He directed the issuance of a show cause notice to the department.
Glacier Surveys and Satellite Phones
Highlighting the impact of climate change on Himalayan glaciers, Dr. Sinha announced plans for glacier lake studies and glacier surveys. UJVNL Executive Director Pankaj Kulshreshtha mentioned the purchase of satellite phones to ensure communication during disasters. Dr. Sinha confirmed that additional satellite phones could be provided by USDMA if required, and their numbers should be shared with the USDMA control room.
