Cachar District Administration prohibited dissemination of unverified content relating to disaster

way2barak, May 31 :—In a decisive move to uphold public safety and maintain order during disaster situations the District Administration of Cachar has issued stringent directives aimed at curbing the rampant spread of misinformation on social media platforms during emergencies such as floods.

This proactive measure comes in light of growing concerns over the circulation of unverified, misleading, and false information that has been observed during recent disaster episodes in the district. Such misinformation not only fuels unnecessary panic and confusion among the public but also severely hampers the coordinated disaster response and relief mechanisms put in place by the administration.

• Invoking the powers vested under Sections 30 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the District Commissioner Mridul Kumar Yadav has categorically prohibited the dissemination of any unverified content relating to disaster events by individuals, groups, or media outlets including through platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube. Violators of this order will face strict legal consequences under the Disaster Management Act, Indian Penal Code, and the Information Technology Act.

The Superintendent of Police, Cachar, has been instructed to maintain rigorous surveillance through the Cyber Cell and other enforcement mechanisms to identify and act swiftly against those responsible for spreading fake news. The public is urged to rely solely on official channels for information and updates related to disaster scenarios. Suspicious content should be reported immediately to the nearest police station or to the District Control Room via the following contact numbers: 03842-239249 / 03842-234005 or Mobile No. 94016-24141.

Simultaneously, in response to the alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the ongoing relentless rainfall, the District Administration has issued a public advisory. With the Barak River’s water level rising steadily, there is an imminent threat of flooding in parts of Cachar District and urban waterlogging in low-lying areas of Silchar City.

Residents are strongly advised to avoid non-essential travel through inundated areas, especially during heavy downpours. Precautionary steps such as switching off electrical appliances, keeping valuables at elevated locations, and preparing emergency kits with dry food, water, and essential medicines are highly recommended. Citizens in flood-prone zones should stay alert to possible evacuation announcements and avoid attempting to walk or drive through flooded streets.

The District Administration assures the public that all concerned departments have been placed on high alert and are continuously monitoring the situation. Collaborative efforts are underway with the Silchar Municipal Corporation and other agencies to address emerging challenges promptly.

The public is once again reminded not to pay heed to rumours or unverified information, and to stay connected with the local administration through official communication channels. For emergencies and assistance, citizens may contact the District Control Room or reach out via email at ddma-cachar@assam.gov.in.

These orders and advisories, issued in the greater interest of public welfare, are effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.

This is stated in a press release issued from Regional office of Information & Public Relations Barak valley Zone Silchar Assam.