Cold wave in entire North India including Uttarakhand, no one should be forced to sleep in the open, Dhami allocated ₹ 10 lakh to every district

The temperature has fallen sharply in the last 2 days from the plains to the hilly districts of Uttarakhand. The temperature has started dropping to double digits at night even in the plains. In such a situation, while the entire state is in the grip of cold wave, the disaster management has also geared up to ensure that the common people do not face any problem due to the cold.

Bitter cold from the mountains to the plains

Autumn has now started showing its effect in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Not only the hilly districts of Uttarakhand but also the plains have now come under the grip of severe cold. Even in metros like Dehradun, Haldwani, the temperature is reaching below double digits at night. The temperature has fallen very fast in Uttarakhand in the last two days, due to which cold wave has started in the state. In view of the rapidly falling temperature, the Uttarakhand Disaster Management has issued an advisory regarding the cold wave.

Preparations of Disaster Management Department

Secretary of Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman said that the department is trying to ensure that no person sleeps in the open in the extreme cold. Complete arrangements are being made for that. He said that arrangements for bonfires are being made at places where there is more movement of people. Also, arrangements for night shelters have been made for those who are forced to sleep in the open.

10 lakh rupees to all districts to deal with the cold wave

Secretary Disaster Management Department Vinod Kumar Suman told ETV Bharat that a meeting was held with the District Disaster Management Officers of all 13 districts regarding preparations to deal with the cold wave. He said that the officers of all the districts should ensure that the number of night shelters is sufficient. If needed, their number should be increased. He said that along with cleanliness in the night shelters, arrangements for essential items like heaters, water heating rods, sufficient number of beds and blankets etc. should be ensured.

Special arrangements at travel stations

Vinod Suman said that instructions have been given to make proper arrangements for bonfires at important squares, bus and railway stations and other places where people stay at night in all the cities. An amount of Rs 10 lakh each has been released to the concerned departments of the districts to deal with the cold wave. This amount should be used in a better way in public interest, so that people can get relief in the cold season.

Instructions to be extra cautious in snow-covered areas

While talking, the Secretary Disaster Management said that various business establishments and institutions should be encouraged to cooperate with CSR funds (Corporate social responsibility) to help the needy people. He also said that along with various NGOs, common people should also be encouraged to donate warm clothes, blankets and food items etc. to the needy people. Instructions have been given from the government level to be extra cautious in snow-covered areas and work there in a planned manner.

Stock of ration for inaccessible places

Secretary Disaster Management said that in places where it becomes difficult to deliver ration due to snowfall, ration for the next two to three months should be stocked. He asked to ensure the arrangement of all equipment like JCB machine, Pokland machine, snow cutter machine and chain etc. to open the roads blocked due to snowfall and to remove vehicles stuck in snow. Suman said that due to frost in the mountains, roads become very dangerous, in such a situation, lime and salt should be sprinkled on the roads in frost-affected areas to prevent road accidents. People should be alerted about the possible danger by putting up sign boards.

Winter travel can become a big challenge

Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department says that this time winter travel has been announced by the government. Therefore, special attention is being given to all the travel routes by the Disaster Management Department. Secretary Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman said that during the winter travel, the routes may be blocked due to snowfall at many places on the travel routes. For this, arrangements of JCB etc. are being made. Instructions have been given to the concerned District Magistrates to pay special attention to all the travel stops. He said that the Disaster Management Department is fully alert to ensure that there is no disruption in the winter travel. Teams have also been deployed at all places.

Temperature of 4 major cities of Uttarakhand today on Wednesday

City Temperature

• Dehradun maximum 21° and minimum 8°
• Haridwar maximum 19° and minimum 7°
• Rudrapur maximum 21° and minimum 5°
• Haldwani maximum 21° and minimum 8°