Amit Shah Reviews India’s Preparedness For Floods, Heatwaves And Forest Fires

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday presided over a high-level review meeting in New Delhi to evaluate the country’s preparedness for floods, heatwaves, and forest fire incidents.

During the discussions, the Home Minister instructed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to carry out a detailed assessment of how effectively states are implementing the prescribed guidelines related to heatwaves, floods, and forest fire management.

Amit Shah emphasised the need to expand the proposed early warning network for vulnerable lakes situated in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, and Sikkim. He suggested increasing the number of lakes covered under the system from 30 to at least 60, with assistance from the NDMA.

The Home Minister also advocated the creation of a comprehensive flood forecasting framework that would function jointly at the Central and state government levels.

Additionally, Shah directed all states to establish and operationalise Flood Crisis Management Teams to ensure quicker and more efficient disaster response.

The Minister observed that the NDMA’s disaster management protocols had improved awareness and encouraged a ‘Whole of Government’ strategy for handling emergencies. He further stated that regular monitoring of compliance at municipal, district, and state levels could significantly improve implementation and preparedness.

The Home Minister instructed the NDMA to examine the extent to which states were following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ instructions and NDMA recommendations concerning floods, heatwaves, and forest fires.

Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, senior ministry officials, NDMA representatives, and top officers of the National Disaster Response Force attended the meeting.

Officials from the India Meteorological Department, National Highways Authority of India, Central Water Commission, National Remote Sensing Centre, and several other agencies also took part in the review session.

Water Conservation Measures

According to an official statement, Amit Shah highlighted the government’s commitment towards achieving ‘Zero Casualty Disaster Management’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also encouraged authorities to explore additional methods for improving groundwater levels and conserving water through storage systems and check dam construction projects.

The Home Minister noted that building check dams along rivers could assist in water conservation while reducing the impact of extreme heat conditions. He further stated that the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority Fund should support broader environmental protection measures and ecological sustainability efforts across the country.

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