Learning a lesson from last week’s Damodar scare in which 10 students were marooned for over eight hours in the river after water was released from Tenughat dam, Bokaro Disaster Management Authority (BDMA) on Monday drew up a list of dos and don’ts for various stakeholders.

At a high-level meeting with representatives of PSUs, reservoir authorities and other agencies, deputy commissioner and BDMA head Uma Shankar Singh made it clear that they have to take steps to prevent flash floods, inundation and breach of embankments during monsoon.

“All agencies, including BCCL, CCL, Tenughat dam and even DVC, which run thermal power units, have been asked to equip themselves with life jackets, fiber boats, first-aid kit, high-powered battery-operated search lights and nylon ropes within three days. They have been also told to remain in constant touch with district officials and control rooms so that immediate help can be rushed to people during emergency because of the rains,” Singh later said at a news conference.

Before release of water from reservoirs, dam authorities will have to alert residents of nearby areas. “If the water level rises alarmingly, the agencies must get in touch with block development officers, circle officers, sub-divisional officers and me besides informing the control room,” he added.