Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a meeting with six flood affected states including Assam and emphasized on better coordination between all central and state agencies to have a permanent system for forecasting of floods and extensive use of innovative technologies for improving forecast and warning systems.
The meeting was held through video conference with Chief Ministers of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala, to review their preparedness to deal with south-west monsoon and current flood situation in the country.
“Over the past few years, our forecasting agencies like India Meteorological Department and Central Water Commission have been making concerted efforts to make better and more usable flood forecasts.
“They are trying to provide not only rainfall and river level forecast but also location specific forecast of inundation. There are pilot efforts underway to also use innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence to improve locations specific forecasts, for which States should provide necessary information to these agencies and timely disseminate the warnings to local communities,” said Prime Minister Modi.
He mentioned that investment should be increased in localised early warning systems so that people in a particular area can be provided with timely warning in case of any threatening situation such as breach of river embankment, inundation level, lightning etc.
Modi also emphasized that in view of COVID situation, while undertaking rescue efforts, States must ensure that people follow all health precautions such as wearing a face mask, hand sanitization and maintain adequate physical distance and relief materials must include provision for hand washing and sanitizing and face masks for the affected people.
In this regard, special provisions should be made for elderly people, pregnant women and people with co-morbidity.
He further conveyed that States should ensure that all development and infrastructure projects must be built with resilience to withstand local disasters and to help in reducing consequential losses.
Modi directed the Officers of concerned Ministries and organisations to take action on the suggestions given by the States and assured that the Centre will continue to provide its support to the States and Union Territories in order to strengthen their capabilities for dealing with various disasters.