Patna (ABN) District Magistrate Dr. Tyag Rajan SM has directed all Sub-Divisional Officers, Land Reforms Additional Collectors and Circle Officers to ensure arrangements as per standard operating procedures recommended by the government to prevent possible cold waves and frost. He said that the severity of winter in Patna district turns into severe and terrible cold wave between December and January. With the onset of winter this year, temperatures are dropping and the intensity of cold waves is expected to increase in the future. The poor, destitute and displaced people living in urban, semi-urban areas are particularly affected by cold waves. It is the responsibility of the administration to ensure adequate arrangements for the protection of the common people, especially the poor and destitute, affected by the cold wave. The District Magistrate has directed the officers to take prompt action as per rules on reports of cold wave published in newspapers and other media. The District Magistrate has directed all concerned officers to ensure proper arrangement of bonfires in all urban and semi-urban areas, from headquarters level to block level, as necessary to protect the poor and destitute people from the cold wave. Bonfires should be lit in places where large numbers of poor and destitute people live or congregate, such as Dharamshalas, hospital premises, rain shelters, passenger houses, rickshaw and tim tum stands, chowdahs, railways, bus stations etc. Besides, bonfires should be lit in other public places where maximum number of people can benefit. have been designated as in-charges to do and supervise them. The District Magistrate said that it is the responsibility of all Sub-Divisional Land Reforms Officers to ensure that there are proper bonfire arrangements at selected places and that the poor and needy people benefit from this relief. They will personally inspect and closely monitor the bonfire sites from time to time. Capital Patna is getting colder and the minimum temperature is falling. The entire administrative machinery is alert, ready, and committed to ensure that the needy do not face any hardship. All Sub-Divisional Officers, Land Reform Sub-Collectors and Circle Officers within the district have been directed to ensure better preparations. Ensure adequate arrangements for including distribution of blankets, adequate health and medical facilities, protection of crops and protection of livestock. To protect people from possible cold waves and frost, the public is also requested to follow the "Do's and Don'ts" issued by the Disaster Management Department in case of cold waves and frost. In case of emergency, contact District Emergency Operation Center, Patna 0612-2210118 Disaster Management Department toll-free number 1070, or Health Department helpline number 104. District Magistrate has directed that in case of cold wave all circle officers will ensure that daily reports are submitted in prescribed format.
The District Magistrate said that the Patna Municipal Corporation has established night shelters in urban areas for rickshaw pullers, daily wage labourers, destitutes, homeless and similar poor and destitute persons. At present, the Patna Municipal Corporation has established a total of 26 night shelters of three types for the homeless. Apart from permanent and temporary night shelters, night shelters have also been built using German hangar technology. It includes 12 German hangars, six permanent and eight temporary shelters. These night shelters have a total of 988 beds. All these night shelters are located near public places like intersections, railway stations and bus stands. The District Magistrate said that the number of night shelters and beds will be increased as per requirement. Officials have also been directed to construct temporary shelters using polythene sheets, tents and tarpaulin sheets where night shelters are not available. Adequate number of blankets should be kept in night shelters and temporary shelters. Safety standards must be strictly observed in these shelters and temporary shelters. Information about shelters should be widely disseminated so that the people are fully informed and can take full advantage of the government's arrangements. An official should be appointed to monitor and supervise these arrangements.
A daily report of the arrangements made at their level should be provided to the District Disaster Management Branch, Patna. The District Magistrate has directed the Assistant Director, District Social Security Cell, Patna to take necessary action to distribute blankets during the cold wave. The Civil Surgeon, Patna has also been directed to ensure that adequate health and medical facilities are available to all people including children, women and the elderly during the cold wave/frost.