the headline (Cityline dated 28/7/24) ‘Will just four pumps stave off likely floods?’ shows two images of the Ambazari Lake by Satish Raut. The lake has breached its danger mark owing to the incessant rains. And it is depicted that only four pumps are pumping excess water into the Naag river. Despite the flood fury of the Naag river of 2023, there is lack of seriousness in the prevention and mitigation efforts. No public representative has visited the site to supervise the ongoing relief measures. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides ample powers to the State government and Collector to overcome disasters and also impending disasters. The Section 65 of this Act provides them ‘powers for requisition of resources, provisions, vehicles, etc., for rescue operations, etc.’

 

These include under Section 65 (a), ‘any resources with any authority or person that are needed for the purpose of prompt response.’ The Section 65 further states that these are to be requisitioned by order in writing, requisition such resources or premises or such vehicle, as the case may be, and may make such further orders as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient in connection with the requisitioning. Firstly, we have quite a few experts in the field of flood management available in the city, whose expertise and guidance can be sought. Quite a few government, semi-government departments, academic institutions and private enterprises have such experts. Next, government departments and mining companies in the public and private sectors have high capacity pumps to pump out excess water, which need to be requisitioned and utilized.

 

As regards the Ambazari Lake, there are quite a few government agencies which are supposed to be working in tandem and are empowered to look after ‘defined’ aspects. And it is common knowledge that neither their views nor their working are convergent towards a common positive goal. During such emergent times, the district administration needs to take lead and exercise superintendence over all others to issue directions for disaster prevention and relief measures.