Discover insights from Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha’s address on pre-monsoon preparedness in response to the southwest monsoon. Learn about strategies for disaster management, inter-departmental coordination, and community involvement to ensure safety and resilience during floods. Stay informed on proactive governance measures.
Agartala (Tripura) June 4: In a proactive effort to bolster disaster preparedness, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha addressed a crucial state-level meeting on pre-monsoon readiness at the Secretariat’s Conference Hall No. 2. Focusing on the impending southwest monsoon, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of learning from past flood experiences, fostering inter-departmental coordination, and engaging civil society to mitigate disaster impacts. Highlighting the collective responsibility of government officials, district magistrates, and community organizations, he outlined actionable strategies to ensure public safety, protect property, and maintain essential services during crises.
“We must learn from the experiences of the devastating floods in the state from previous days and last year. Everyone must remember that rescuing people and standing by them during disasters is not solely a government responsibility; it is our social obligation”, said Dr Manik Saha while addressing officials from various departments during a state-level meeting on pre-monsoon preparedness in the context of the southwest monsoon’s impact, held at Conference Hall No. 2 in the Secretariat.
The Chief Minister emphasized that during disasters, departments must focus on coordination to overcome adversities. Lessons from past experiences should be utilized to move forward, and gaps must be identified. Only then will it be possible to provide proper services to civil society during disasters. He advised various social clubs to come forward in this regard and suggested that government officials and district magistrates maintain regular communication with these clubs.
Today chaired a meeting to discuss the state-level preparedness for Monsoon including potential water-logging.
In the meeting held at the conference hall of the Secretariat, passed necessary instructions to the officials concerned for taking measures to deal with any situation… pic.twitter.com/QNasbXR6Wg
— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) June 4, 2025
Addressing the district magistrates, the Chief Minister stressed the need to make people aware in advance so they can keep essential documents, books, deeds, and money in safe places. He also emphasized the importance of ensuring adequate stocks of essential medicines, antivenom injections, bleaching powder, halogen powder, etc., in hospitals. The Chief Minister highlighted the need to prioritize the protection of citizens’ property after they arrive at relief camps and suggested considering drone surveillance if necessary. He noted that communication disruptions are common during disasters, so he stressed the importance of providing more HAM radios. Attention must also be paid to ensuring that the switch gates of various dams are functioning properly. The Chief Minister emphasized the repair and maintenance of footbridges.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister further stated that medical teams should be formed in advance of disasters to enable rapid deployment during adverse times. He sought updates from district magistrates on the current condition of the state’s dams and emphasized the need for daily monitoring of dams.
The Chief Minister also stressed the importance of ensuring the safety and rescue of animals and birds alongside humans. He noted that providing clean drinking water during disasters is challenging, so authorities must remain vigilant in ensuring its availability. Additionally, adequate food, drinking water, medical services, and electricity must be maintained in shelter homes. He instructed district magistrates to identify vulnerable areas in advance and prepare to set up shelter homes nearby.
Dr Saha also emphasized the need to make people aware in advance to cooperate with the government during disasters. In this context, the Chief Minister suggested organizing awareness camps. He advised nearby police stations to remain highly alert during disasters and emphasized the need to quickly assess the extent of damage during adverse times. He added that we must always be prepared by learning from past challenges.
Chief Secretary J.K. Sinha stated during the meeting that past experiences should be leveraged to move forward. Relevant departments must remain vigilant, and helpline centers should operate at full capacity. District magistrates must focus on monitoring, ensuring food packet distribution, electricity supply, the condition of dams, health services, and rescue operations.
At the beginning of the meeting, Revenue Department Secretary Brijesh Pandey, along with secretaries from departments such as Power, Public Works, Education, Health, Disaster Management, Food, Forest, Panchayat, Social Welfare and Social Education, Agriculture, and Urban Development, briefed the Chief Minister on their respective roles.
Additionally, Director General of Police Anurag, along with district magistrates and collectors from various districts, presented detailed information on their monsoon preparedness to the Chief Minister.
