Hoshiarpur- Deputy Commissioner Ashika Jain along with officials visited the flood-hit areas of Harta and Badla of Chabbewal late last night and assessed the damage there and said that the loss of the affected people is being assessed seriously and on priority. She said that due to heavy rains and floods, there has been a lot of damage to government and private properties in the district, in view of which it is necessary to properly assess the damage and ensure the safety of the structures.
For this purpose, orders have been issued to form joint teams under the chairmanship of the concerned SDMs in all the sub-divisions of the district. These teams will include the Public Works Department, Water Resources Department, Water Supply and Sanitation Department, PSPCL, Panchayat Department, Education Department, concerned BDPO and executive officers of Municipal Councils/Nagar Panchayats as well as other necessary officers.
The Deputy Commissioner said that all schools, Anganwadi centres, hospitals, public buildings and private houses in the district will be technically inspected and only if they are structurally certified will they be declared safe for reuse. The assessment of private and public damage will be done as per the notified norms of SDRF so that the affected people get adequate compensation in time.
He directed that all SDMs should hold daily review meetings to ensure coordination with the concerned departments and resolve the problems on the spot. The District Education Officer has also been directed to complete the safety audit of school buildings with the technical support of all School Management Committees, Panchayats and Public Works Department.
The Deputy Commissioner also expressed serious concern over the erosion taking place in the Beas River. He said that due to excessive silting and formation of islands, the natural flow of the river has been disrupted and the strong currents are directly hitting the embankments and cutting the banks. Due to this, the embankments near the Shri Hargobindpur (Rada) bridge have been badly affected, posing a threat to the bridge, nearby villages and agricultural land.