The monsoon this year is likely to be normal and the National Disaster Response Force is planning per-monsoon deployment in flood-prone areas in consultation with state governments, according to an official statement.
The statement said that this was conveyed at a review meeting on the pre-monsoon and monsoon situation convened by the National Disaster Management Authority NDMA on Friday.
The India Meteorological Department IMD informed that the forecast for the south-west monsoon 2022 is likely to be normal. The statement said that the NDRF had already planned for pre-monsoon deployment for most vulnerable areas with regard to flooding, in consultation with the states and Union Territories.
The NDMA held a meeting as a follow to the review of the monsoon preparedness meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 5.
The adoption of the concept of decision support system with integrated flood early warning system was discussed at the Friday's meeting, as per the recommendations of the prime minister.
It said that the need to adopt this system can help in the reduction of urban floods to a great extent, especially if adopted by municipal bodies of the states.
The danger and warning levels of reservoirs and dams were reviewed and the need for timely checks was emphasised.
The statement said that the new emerging threats of flooding sand mines and coal mines were also discussed along with the deployment of 'Aapda Mitra' volunteers to help manage disasters at various levels in districts and states.
The timely procurement and storing of gear and equipment was also discussed. It also highlighted impacts-based urban flood forecasting and areas prone to flash floods.
The statement said that efforts of the National Remote Sensing Centre NRSC in preparation of the Flood Hazard Zonation Atlas were also deliberated upon by the National Remote Sensing Centre NRSC.
The Disaster Management Plans SDMPs of 19 states and Union Territories were reviewed at the meeting.
The statement said that there were discussions on ensuring the functioning of State Emergency Operations Centres and District Emergency Operations Centres DEOCs 24 X 7 and 365 days a year. The statement said that the use of the Damini App, Nowcast, as well as various Google alerts for effective early warning dissemination was emphasised to achieve a target of zero mortality in the coming monsoon season.
The meeting was attended by officers and scientists from the IMD, the NRSC, Central Water Commission CWC Integrated Defence Staff, the National Disaster Response Force NDRF Indian Coast Guard, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, along with the Resident Commissioners of 19 flood prone states and UTs.