PANAJI
With the weatherman forecasting the monsoon to pound with all its fury in July, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is gearing up and banking on a decentralised action strategy in both the districts.
Any disruptions caused by heavy rains, storms and other calamitous occurrences will be first responded to by squads from the Sub-Divisional Officer (Deputy Collector) at the taluka level in co-ordination with the nearest fire station.
The State government has also issued standing instructions to the two Collectors to disburse reserve funds to the deputy collectors officiating as sub-divisional magistrates in all the 12 talukas which are to be used to hire machinery from the closest available source whenever incidents occur.
The funds will be drawn from the State Disaster Response Fund and the deputy collectors will be duty bound to submit 'utilisation certificates' as and when the money is used.
The Deputy Collectors are also empowered to use the money for hiring work force and machinery to help restore order in areas where inclement weather and heavy rains cause destruction.
The funds are also expected to come in good to urgently hire heavy machinery at the local level to quickly respond to mud-slides and such other exigencies.
The deputy collectors will also have the services of around 400 civilians, who have been trained as disaster management volunteers by the Goa Fire and Emergency Services department. These 400 volunteers hail from all the 12 talukas, are issued IDs and are geo-tagged so that they can be summoned whenever required.
