News & Announcement
Namchi Strengthens Disaster Preparedness Ahead of Monsoon 2026 with Focus on Coordination, Training, and Modern Response Systems
Namchi, 05 May (IPR): A district-level pre-monsoon preparedness meeting for 2026 was convened by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Namchi, under the chairmanship of the District Collector at the Town Hall, today.
At the outset, the Chair underscored the importance of early preparedness in view of the district’s vulnerability to landslides, road blockages, flash floods, and infrastructure disruptions during the monsoon. All departments were directed to ensure that precautionary and preventive measures are put in place well in advance.
Addressing the gathering, the District Collector, Ms Anupa Tamling, appreciated the sustained efforts of the DDMA in effectively managing disaster-related challenges over the years. She emphasised that disaster management is not solely the responsibility of authorities but a collective duty requiring awareness, coordination, and active participation from all sections of society.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen coordination mechanisms and highlighted the need for deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at the Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) level to ensure swift and effective emergency response. Stressing preventive measures, she called for strict adherence to fire safety norms in households to minimise the risk of residential fire incidents.
With the onset of the monsoon season, the District Collector highlighted the importance of regular clearing of drains and appealed for proactive involvement from both urban and rural communities. She further directed the Departments of Fisheries and Rural Livelihoods, along with the Forest and Environment Department, to strictly prohibit fishing and swimming during the monsoon and maintain vigilance to prevent untoward incidents. Additionally, excavation activities for house construction are to remain suspended until the end of the monsoon.
She also urged all line departments to work in close coordination and ensure the timely dissemination of information for prompt response. Emphasising grassroots preparedness, she called for the systematic incorporation of Village Disaster Management Plans across all GPUs and directed officials to remain alert and stationed at their respective places of duty.
The District Collector also made special mention of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, encouraging individuals and departments to actively contribute towards disaster management initiatives and strive for recognition under the prestigious national award.
ADC (HQ), Namchi, Mr Subash Ghimirey, in his presentation, provided an overview of the district’s disaster preparedness framework and key objectives. He identified forest fires as a recurring concern and highlighted the proactive role of the DDMA in mitigation, preparedness, and coordinated response. He also underlined the importance of Immediate Response Teams (IRTs) in ensuring swift on-ground action during emergencies.
Outlining departmental responsibilities, he stated that the Public Health Engineering Department is tasked with ensuring a safe drinking water supply and restoration of damaged pipelines, while the Power Department is responsible for maintaining uninterrupted electricity and prompt restoration during outages. The Forest and Environment Department will monitor forest fire incidents and safeguard ecological balance, while the Health and Family Welfare Department will ensure emergency medical response and public health services.
Similarly, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will ensure the availability of essential commodities, the Tourism and Transport Department will regulate movement and ensure safe transit, and the Information and Public Relations Department will be responsible for the timely dissemination of accurate information and public awareness.
He further stressed the need for adequate manpower and machinery at all stations for effective response, along with the importance of submitting timely reports supported by photographic evidence to the DDMA. Routine clearing of PMGSY roads, drains, and culverts was also emphasised to prevent blockages during the monsoon.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Ms Sonam Doma Bhutia, highlighted that effective disaster preparedness depends on proper training of personnel. She emphasised the importance of equipping teams with modern tools and equipment to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational readiness during emergencies.
During the review, departments presented detailed status reports on the availability and operational readiness of manpower, machinery, and essential equipment. The Roads and Bridges Department informed about the deployment of excavators and restoration teams at vulnerable locations, while the Health Department updated on emergency medical preparedness, availability of essential medicines, and readiness of ambulances and health personnel.
The DDMA also presented the district disaster preparedness plan, highlighting coordination mechanisms, emergency response protocols, and identification of vulnerable zones.
Emphasis was laid on the activation of control rooms, the establishment of early warning systems, and the timely dissemination of information to the public.
The Police and Fire & Emergency Services were directed to remain on high alert and ensure rapid response capabilities. Meanwhile, Rural Development and Urban Local Bodies were instructed to prioritise drainage clearance, maintenance of public infrastructure, and community awareness initiatives.
Some important decisions taken during the meeting included:
- Pre-positioning of machinery and response teams in vulnerable locations
- Activation of district and sub-divisional control rooms
- Strengthening of communication networks for emergency response
- Regular monitoring of landslide-prone and flood-sensitive areas
- Conduct of awareness programmes for community preparedness
The programme also featured an open discussion session, during which representatives from various departments shared valuable feedback, proposals, and key requirements to further strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
SDPO Namchi, Mr Bikash Tiwary, highlighted the recently launched E-Beat System, designed to monitor and manage digital police patrolling, thereby enhancing the efficiency of first responders.
He further informed that all six police stations in Namchi district are equipped with Quick Response Teams to ensure prompt action during emergencies.
He also shared important 24-hour toll-free helpline numbers for public convenience, including 1933 for drug-related information and 1930 for cybercrime complaints. He emphasised that helplines play a crucial role in ensuring timely response and coordination during emergencies and disasters.
It may be mentioned here that, during the meeting, as a mark of gratitude for initiating the colouring of the Namchi Fire Station building, a letter of appreciation and a souvenir were presented to the DC, Namchi, on behalf of the Director General of Police and Director, Fire Service (IGP) Mr Khil Barna Gurung.
Also present during the meeting were Zilla Panchayat members, ADCs, SDMs, BDOs, DPO (DDMA) Mr Suraj Rai, members of Gram Panchayat Units, Heads of Offices, representatives from line departments, IRB teams (Manglay and Boomtar), NGOs, companies, and other concerned stakeholders.
At the outset, the Chair underscored the importance of early preparedness in view of the district’s vulnerability to landslides, road blockages, flash floods, and infrastructure disruptions during the monsoon. All departments were directed to ensure that precautionary and preventive measures are put in place well in advance.
Addressing the gathering, the District Collector, Ms Anupa Tamling, appreciated the sustained efforts of the DDMA in effectively managing disaster-related challenges over the years. She emphasised that disaster management is not solely the responsibility of authorities but a collective duty requiring awareness, coordination, and active participation from all sections of society.
She urged stakeholders to strengthen coordination mechanisms and highlighted the need for deploying Quick Response Teams (QRTs) at the Gram Panchayat Unit (GPU) level to ensure swift and effective emergency response. Stressing preventive measures, she called for strict adherence to fire safety norms in households to minimise the risk of residential fire incidents.
With the onset of the monsoon season, the District Collector highlighted the importance of regular clearing of drains and appealed for proactive involvement from both urban and rural communities. She further directed the Departments of Fisheries and Rural Livelihoods, along with the Forest and Environment Department, to strictly prohibit fishing and swimming during the monsoon and maintain vigilance to prevent untoward incidents. Additionally, excavation activities for house construction are to remain suspended until the end of the monsoon.
She also urged all line departments to work in close coordination and ensure the timely dissemination of information for prompt response. Emphasising grassroots preparedness, she called for the systematic incorporation of Village Disaster Management Plans across all GPUs and directed officials to remain alert and stationed at their respective places of duty.
The District Collector also made special mention of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, encouraging individuals and departments to actively contribute towards disaster management initiatives and strive for recognition under the prestigious national award.
ADC (HQ), Namchi, Mr Subash Ghimirey, in his presentation, provided an overview of the district’s disaster preparedness framework and key objectives. He identified forest fires as a recurring concern and highlighted the proactive role of the DDMA in mitigation, preparedness, and coordinated response. He also underlined the importance of Immediate Response Teams (IRTs) in ensuring swift on-ground action during emergencies.
Outlining departmental responsibilities, he stated that the Public Health Engineering Department is tasked with ensuring a safe drinking water supply and restoration of damaged pipelines, while the Power Department is responsible for maintaining uninterrupted electricity and prompt restoration during outages. The Forest and Environment Department will monitor forest fire incidents and safeguard ecological balance, while the Health and Family Welfare Department will ensure emergency medical response and public health services.
Similarly, the Food and Civil Supplies Department will ensure the availability of essential commodities, the Tourism and Transport Department will regulate movement and ensure safe transit, and the Information and Public Relations Department will be responsible for the timely dissemination of accurate information and public awareness.
He further stressed the need for adequate manpower and machinery at all stations for effective response, along with the importance of submitting timely reports supported by photographic evidence to the DDMA. Routine clearing of PMGSY roads, drains, and culverts was also emphasised to prevent blockages during the monsoon.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Ms Sonam Doma Bhutia, highlighted that effective disaster preparedness depends on proper training of personnel. She emphasised the importance of equipping teams with modern tools and equipment to enhance safety, efficiency, and operational readiness during emergencies.
During the review, departments presented detailed status reports on the availability and operational readiness of manpower, machinery, and essential equipment. The Roads and Bridges Department informed about the deployment of excavators and restoration teams at vulnerable locations, while the Health Department updated on emergency medical preparedness, availability of essential medicines, and readiness of ambulances and health personnel.
The DDMA also presented the district disaster preparedness plan, highlighting coordination mechanisms, emergency response protocols, and identification of vulnerable zones.
Emphasis was laid on the activation of control rooms, the establishment of early warning systems, and the timely dissemination of information to the public.
The Police and Fire & Emergency Services were directed to remain on high alert and ensure rapid response capabilities. Meanwhile, Rural Development and Urban Local Bodies were instructed to prioritise drainage clearance, maintenance of public infrastructure, and community awareness initiatives.
Some important decisions taken during the meeting included:
- Pre-positioning of machinery and response teams in vulnerable locations
- Activation of district and sub-divisional control rooms
- Strengthening of communication networks for emergency response
- Regular monitoring of landslide-prone and flood-sensitive areas
- Conduct of awareness programmes for community preparedness
The programme also featured an open discussion session, during which representatives from various departments shared valuable feedback, proposals, and key requirements to further strengthen disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
SDPO Namchi, Mr Bikash Tiwary, highlighted the recently launched E-Beat System, designed to monitor and manage digital police patrolling, thereby enhancing the efficiency of first responders.
He further informed that all six police stations in Namchi district are equipped with Quick Response Teams to ensure prompt action during emergencies.
He also shared important 24-hour toll-free helpline numbers for public convenience, including 1933 for drug-related information and 1930 for cybercrime complaints. He emphasised that helplines play a crucial role in ensuring timely response and coordination during emergencies and disasters.
It may be mentioned here that, during the meeting, as a mark of gratitude for initiating the colouring of the Namchi Fire Station building, a letter of appreciation and a souvenir were presented to the DC, Namchi, on behalf of the Director General of Police and Director, Fire Service (IGP) Mr Khil Barna Gurung.
Also present during the meeting were Zilla Panchayat members, ADCs, SDMs, BDOs, DPO (DDMA) Mr Suraj Rai, members of Gram Panchayat Units, Heads of Offices, representatives from line departments, IRB teams (Manglay and Boomtar), NGOs, companies, and other concerned stakeholders.
