Ahead of monsoon, Shah reviews preparedness to deal with flooding

New Delhi, June 2: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the overall preparedness for flood management in the country in the upcoming monsoon season and measures for formulating an overarching policy to mitigate the perennial problem of flooding in the country.
Shah said at the meeting that the rain and flood forecast currently being given for five days by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to be expanded to seven days by next monsoon season so that the flood management can be further improved, according to a statement issued by the Union Home Ministry on Friday.
He said 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.
Shah directed that a comprehensive software be developed by the Union Home Ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) by March 2024, in which scientific data will be made available to all the early warning agencies immediately for dissemination to the disaster management agencies.
The home minister also reviewed the long-term measures for formulation of a comprehensive and overarching policy to mitigate the perennial flood problems of the country, the statement said.
He directed the officials to continue to strengthen coordination between 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. (PTI)