Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held a meeting today through video conference with Chief Ministers of six states -- 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.
Modi 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 system.
Prime Minister said that 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 forecast, for which States should provide necessary information to these agencies and timely disseminate the warnings to local communities", he said.
He mentioned that investment should be increased in localized early warning systems so that people in a particular area can be provided with the timely warning in case of any threatening situation such as breach of river embankment, inundation level, lightning, etc.
Prime Minister also emphasized that in view of COVID-19 situation, while undertaking rescue efforts, States must ensure that people follow all health precautions such as wearing of face mask, hand sanitization, and maintain adequate physical distance and relief materials.
They include provisions for hand washing/ 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 to the representatives of the flood-affected states that they should ensure that all development and infrastructure projects must be built with resilience to withstand local disasters and to help in reducing consequential losses.
Chief Ministers of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Home Minister of Karnataka gave an update on the flood situation, rescue efforts made in their respective States.
They also gave some suggestions for short-term and long-term measures for mitigating the effects of floods.
Prime Minister directed the Officers of concerned Ministries and organizations 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.