Staff Reporter
Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday chaired a high level meeting in New Delhi to review overall preparedness for flood management in the context of upcoming monsoon season. He also reviewed the long-term measures for formulation of a comprehensive and overarching policy to mitigate the perennial flood problems of the country.
Mr Shah said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, efforts are being made in the field of disaster management to help minimize the loss of lives and livelihoods during disasters. He said that five days rain and flood forecast is currently being given by India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission which will be expanded to seven days forecast by next monsoon season so that the flood management can be further improved.
The Home Minister directed for a development comprehensive software by March next year, in which scientific data will be made available to all the early warning agencies immediately for dissemination to the disaster management agencies. Mr Shah directed the officials to continue to strengthen coordination between the Central and State agencies to have a permanent system for forecasting of floods and rise in water levels in major catchment zones and areas of the country.
At the meeting, he instructed that during the current flood season, the present and forecasted river levels must be monitored on an hourly basis. Mr Shah also asked to take appropriate measures including monitoring of embankments, evacuation and temporary shelters should be taken by all concerned stakeholders to respond to impending floods.