Union Home Minister Amit Shah has proposed the creation of at least 50 large ponds in the northeast to divert Brahmaputra water, aiming to combat floods and bolster agriculture, irrigation, and tourism.
Chairing a comprehensive review on flood management preparedness during the monsoon, Shah stressed on the critical role of satellite imagery provided by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for effective flood and water management strategies.
In particular, Shah addressed concerns over Glacial Lake Outburst Floods and stressed the need to enhance forecasting systems for river water levels to optimise flood management efforts.
"The creation of 50 large ponds in the northeast will allow us to divert Brahmaputra water for storage, benefiting local economies and reducing flood impact," Shah highlighted in an official statement.
Frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra River poses significant challenges for Assam and the northeastern region, causing casualties and extensive land inundation annually.
Shah also expressed concerns over flash floods triggered by glacial lake outbursts in regions like Sikkim and Uttarakhand in recent years, emphasizing the government's preparedness to address such emergencies during the monsoon season.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Shah reaffirmed India's commitment to disaster management with a 'zero casualty approach,' directing authorities to conduct a detailed study on recent floods in Sikkim and Manipur.
During the meeting, Shah emphasised the importance of integrating weather, rainfall, and flood warning applications developed by various departments to ensure timely alerts and effective response mechanisms.
The discussion also delved into long-term measures aimed at formulating a comprehensive policy to mitigate the impact of floods across the country, focusing on technological advancements and network expansion for enhanced flood management.
Shah called upon all states and Union Territories to promptly implement advisories issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for flood preparedness.
He instructed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Water Commission (CWC) to expedite the recalibration of flood forecasting equipment and ensure the operational readiness of major dam floodgates.
Recognising the vulnerability of non-perennial rivers to soil erosion and siltation, Shah directed environmental authorities to adopt precautionary measures to prevent incidents of forest fires, including regular maintenance and community awareness programs.
Additionally, Shah stressed the importance of disseminating IMD alerts on lightning strikes promptly through multiple media platforms to minimize risks to public safety.
The meeting saw detailed presentations from IMD, CWC, NDMA, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), outlining their preparedness for the current monsoon season and future action plans.
Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, and senior officials were among those present at the review meeting.
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