Gautam Budh Nagar plans flood-preparedness database for villages

Families in Gautam Budh Nagar villages vulnerable to flooding will be entered into a district database intended to make evacuations and relief faster if water levels rise.

Revenue officials will prepare resident directories with mobile numbers, as well as separate lists of people who may need priority assistance, including sick or infirm residents and children below five. District magistrate Medha Roopam said preparations should be completed in advance rather than after flooding begins.

Sub-divisional magistrates and tehsildars have been asked to set up control rooms with shift-wise staff and publicise their phone numbers. The irrigation department will inspect erosion-prone stretches and embankments, repair rain cuts and rat holes, and maintain sandbags, geobags and other flood-control supplies.

The Public Works Department has been directed to repair alternative routes, while development authorities and civic bodies must address drainage and waterlogging. Officials have also been told to procure foodgrains, relief material, dignity kits and cooked food in time.

On Tuesday evening, the Yamuna and Hindon were flowing at normal levels, with downstream discharge at Okhla barrage recorded at 11,029 cusecs and at Hindon at 4,978 cusecs.