New Delhi, May 11: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah conducted a crucial high-level meeting in New Delhi on Sunday, focusing on the nation’s preparedness for potential floods and heatwaves.
During the meeting, Shah emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the strategies in place. He proposed that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) collaborate to develop an early warning system for at least 60 high-risk lakes across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. He also stressed the importance of a consolidated forecasting system for floods at both central and state levels.
Shah called for the establishment of Flood Crisis Management Teams (FCMT) in every state to enhance response capabilities. He noted that while the NDMA’s guidelines have fostered better awareness and a “whole government” approach to disaster management, there needs to be a review of compliance at state, district, and municipal levels. He urged the NDMA to assess how many states are adhering to the directives regarding forest fires, heatwaves, and flood management.
The Home Minister highlighted the need to implement a zero-casualty disaster management approach under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. He suggested exploring further opportunities for water conservation and improving water levels through projects like check dams. The goal should be to minimize agricultural losses from heatwaves while ensuring water preservation through these structures. He also mentioned that the CAMPA fund should be utilized to enhance environmental balance efforts.
Shah proposed the creation of a master plan to address the challenges posed by climate change and the resulting weather variations. He advised officials from various ministries and departments to focus on strengthening existing apps and portals rather than developing new ones. Effective dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings was also emphasized.
He stressed the importance of refining predictions related to the upcoming monsoon, including potential casualties and agricultural impacts. Shah praised the ongoing efforts and coordination among ministries and departments, stating that it is time for weather-related plans to reach the ground level.
Under Prime Minister Modi’s guidance, Amit Shah has prioritized preparations to mitigate the effects of floods and other natural disasters. Each year, the Home Minister conducts a detailed review of pre-flood preparations, leading to significant initiatives such as extending the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) rainfall and flood forecasting period from three to seven days and improving heatwave forecasting standards.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister of Water Power C.R. Patil, the Union Home Secretary, secretaries of various ministries, senior officials, members of the NDMA, heads of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the IMD, along with senior officials from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) and other relevant departments.
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