Chandigarh
That women can multitask and manage well when it comes to natural disasters is being proven in Punjab, a state now suffering from flash floods. Most of the flood-affected areas in the state are being managed by women deputy commissioners. Their zeal to fight against the natural disaster is surprising not only people of the affected areas, but also people in power. The women deputy commissioners are working round the clock, without a hitch, and participating in rescue operations, rehabilitation, digital awareness, coordination with NDRF-army and many more difficult tasks.
Presently, Mohali, Ropar, Patiala, Fazilka and Ludhiana districts are in the grip of floods and it is also a strange coincidence that the command of all these districts is in the hands of women deputy commissioners. In view of the grave flood situation, all these officers are currently on the ground to help the victims of the flood-affected areas. The worst-hit areas are in Patiala, which has always been affected the most during flash floods. In July 1993, floods almost drowned the whole of rural and urban Patiala. This time too, the situation is bad, though not as grave as in July 1993. Deputy Commissioner Patiala Sakshi Sawhney has been awake for the last 72 hours, assisting teams comprising the NDRF, Army, and administration. She is overseeing the arrangements to evacuate the patients of Neelam Hospital or the children trapped in Chitkara University due to the rupture of the Satluj-Yamuna Link canal.
Patiala DC Sakshi Sawhney told The Sunday Guardian, “I think after Sunday, none of my rescue team members, including the NDRF, Army, and administration, had any sleep. We are awake and working round-the-clock. We are trying our best to save lives and rescue people from this disaster.”
DC Sawhney not only manages the administrational job, but also keeps her eye on social media, attending to panic calls, making teams evacuate the flood-trapped people, and also arranging shelters for affected ones. Reviewing the flood-control measures, DC Sawhney directs officials to ensure the setting up of flood-control rooms at sub-division level. She also emphasised on the need for the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to make adequate preparations to handle any potential situations that may arise during the rainy season. She urged the officers to maintain proper coordination with other departments. The officers concerned were briefed about the existing arrangements, including the stock of boats and life-saving jackets. Areas like Kharar, Zirakpur, Dera Bassi, etc. of Mohali are badly affected by floods. Along with heavy rains in these circles of Punjab, heavy rains are also continuing in Himachal, and due to this, these areas are water-logged.
Mohali’s Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain has been standing with the officials in the field for several days. In view of the alarming situation in the area, she called the NDRF teams and also asked the Home Department to ask the Army to remain alert.
In fact, due to the drainage of water from Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib towards Patiala, problems are increasing here. Ropar’s DC Preeti Yadav is also seen as very active. Due to the release of water from the dam, there has been a flood in the areas of Ropar due to the swollen Satluj. The same water is moving in Ludhiana district as well and here Deputy Commissioner Surabhi Malik, along with her officers, are helping the people.
Fazilka’s DC Senu Duggal is also engaged in rescue work. As the Bhakra Management has announced to release of 16,000 cusecs of water, Fazilka Deputy Commissioner Duggal prepared her team for a field visit, evacuation program, shelter management, dry ration, medical care, and put all arrangements in place so that there is no man-made disaster after this natural calamity.
DC Duggal told The Sunday Guardian, “We are ready with our plan, rest it is a natural calamity. It is our testing time and we as a team will surely fight it out. We are approaching people, making them shift to safer places.”