Lack of coordination between rescue and relief agencies antagonising grieving families: allegationsÂ
Shimla, Aug 17
After the recent cloudburst near Shiv Baudi temple, there seems to be a lack of coordination between various rescue and relief agencies, causing distress for the grieving families. Seven victims are still missing, and efforts to recover their bodies have been slow. The NDRF, SDRF, BRO, MES, Police, and homeguard administration are all involved in the search. Only two bodies have been found in the past 24 hours. Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar, a former IFS officer, suggests that a lack of coordination among the agencies might be responsible for the slow progress. Family members of the deceased have expressed dissatisfaction with the rescue operation. Dr. Tanwar proposes that disaster management should have a single command to streamline efforts.
According to eyewitness NDRF, SDRF and BRO and MES was allocated four hours time each to explore the possibility of the missing bodies in the rubbles.
Meanwhile around 20 houses including in Krishna Nagar, Himland near St Edwards School, Talland and near the High Court parking and City division office and parking were also vacated as building are declared unsafe.
Dr Tanwar said that Shiv Baudi tragedy is not due to anthropogenic reason as it was probably due to cloudburst. However Krishna Nagar Slaughter house two deaths and landslides was being attributed to poor quality of retaining wall of Slaughter house and illegal dumping, besides the landslide was triggered by extremely heavy rainfall from August 12 to 14.
Meanwhile in most of the town, the roads and building are affected by uprooting of trees and poor drainage system. Though it is a matter of research, but overflowing water drains and illegal dumping of muck may have caused the devastration.
Numerous alligations have surfaced in past that smart Cities used the money recklessly and heavy infrastructure are being raised without studying the vulnerable strata of town. Former Deputy Mayor Tikender Singh Panwar said that waterflow from Jakhu to Kalnog was being obstructed by allowing construction on water streams.
However amidst the debate and rehabilitation efforts, the Shimla Muncipal Corporation and Forest Department has ordered to fell 400 trees which have been identified as dangerous. Around 200 trees are uprooted in the state including in all the landslides and other such incidents.Â
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