Gandhinagar, July 1 (IANS) With the monsoon advancing across Gujarat, the state police have intensified disaster preparedness measures by deploying 1,036 personnel from 11 companies of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) at vulnerable locations and directing all police units to strengthen emergency response systems ahead of heavy rainfall.

The measures were reviewed during a video conference chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) G.S. Malik from Police Bhavan on Wednesday. Senior police officers, officers of the Armed Units and Superintendents of Police (SPs) from districts across the state participated in the meeting.

The review focused on monsoon preparedness and disaster management, with emphasis on maintaining uninterrupted communication, coordinated rescue operations and preventive measures to minimise disruption during adverse weather.

Recognising that mobile phone networks can become unreliable during periods of heavy rain, the DGP instructed police units to keep local wireless communication networks fully operational.

Police stations have also been directed to maintain adequate stocks of diesel and petrol to ensure generator sets remain functional in the event of power outages.

The meeting stressed the importance of coordinated action during emergencies involving the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Home Guards, Gram Rakshak Dal (GRD), the Traffic Brigade (TRB) and local administrative authorities.

As part of advance planning, 11 SDRF companies comprising 1,036 personnel have been deployed at identified vulnerable and designated locations across the state since June 28.

Police personnel will also remain on duty to ensure smooth traffic management during heavy rainfall and to carry out rescue operations whenever required.

Officers were informed that personnel have received specialised training in flood rescue operations as well as in removing fallen trees and other road obstructions.

District SPs have been instructed to hold immediate meetings with SDRF platoon commanders deployed in their jurisdictions to review the availability of equipment, deployment locations and communication plans.

They have also been asked to integrate SDRF teams with local wireless communication frequencies wherever necessary.

To strengthen community participation in disaster response, the Gujarat Police will utilise trained ‘Aapda Mitras’ and selected ‘Yuva Aapda Mitras’ drawn from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the National Cadet Corps (NCC).

Details of these trained volunteers will be maintained in district control rooms to enable their rapid mobilisation during emergencies.

The DGP also directed the heads of all police stations, police outposts and government offices to personally inspect and clean the rooftops of their buildings before the onset of heavy rainfall.

Officials were told that leaves and debris blocking rooftop drainage outlets can cause water accumulation and weaken building slabs.

Compliance reports have been sought, and a second round of inspections has been ordered after the first spell of rain.

He also instructed district police chiefs to review SDRF resources and communication plans and to ensure rooftops of police and government buildings are inspected and cleaned before and after the first rains to reduce avoidable risks.

–IANS

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