Dhami directs ‘zero casualty’ approach ahead of monsoon

Dehradun: Ahead of the upcoming monsoon season, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday directed all govt departments and district administrations to adopt a strict “zero casualty” approach, ordering maximum preparedness to minimise any loss of life.Reviewing pre-monsoon arrangements at the Secretariat, CM Dhami instructed all district in-charge secretaries to conduct at least two on-ground inspection visits to their respective zones before the rains hit.The CM directed identification of high-risk locations and proactive evacuation of residents from danger-prone areas, and compulsory safety audits of all bridges and the strategic pre-positioning of heavy machinery at landslide-prone stretches.Dhami said essential food grains, fuel and medical supplies should be stored in remote hill sectors, while also ordering the creation of a database tracking pregnant women due to deliver during the monsoon to ensure seamless access to healthcare.Additionally, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local police have been ordered into highly sensitive zones. To prevent public panic, the CM warned that strict legal action will be taken under the Disaster Management Act against anyone spreading rumors or misleading information on social media.A deadline of Nov 15 has been set to repair all monsoon-induced road damage across the state.Meanwhile, in a major relief for commuters, the govt also announced that the newly constructed Kainchi Dham bypass road will officially open to traffic this Wednesday, aiming to ease traffic congestion around the highly popular pilgrimage site.