Monsoon: NDMA plans to deploy NDRF in flood prone areas

The monsoon is expected to return to normal this year and the National Disaster Response Force is planning to deploy counter-monsoon in flood-prone areas in consultation with the state government, according to an official statement.

This was stated at a pre-monsoon and monsoon situation review meeting organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) here on Friday, the statement said.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the forecast for the southwest monsoon 2022 may be normal, it said. The NDRF has already planned pre-monsoon deployments in the most flood prone areas in consultation with the states and union territories, the statement said.

The NDMA held the meeting on May 5 as a follow-up to a review of the heatwave and monsoon preparations meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The statement said that on the basis of the Prime Minister’s recommendation, the meeting on Friday discussed the idea of ​​adopting a decision-making system, including an integrated flood warning system.

The need to adopt this measure, which can help reduce urban flooding to a great extent, was emphasized, especially if the municipal corporations of the states adopt it.

Danger and warning levels of reservoirs and dams were also reviewed and the need for timely checks was emphasized.

The new emerging flood threat from sand mines and coal mines was also discussed, including the deployment of ‘disaster ally’ volunteers to assist in disaster response at various levels in the districts and states, the statement said.

Timely collection and storage of gear and equipment was also discussed. Impact-based urban flood forecasting and flash flood prone areas have also been highlighted, it said.

Efforts by the National Remote Sensing Center (NRSC) to create “Flood Hazard Junction Atlas” in various states were also discussed, the statement said.

The meeting reviewed Disaster Management Plans (SDMPs) of 19 States and Union Territories.

State Emergency Operations Centers and District Emergency Operations Centers (DEOCs) 24X7 and ensuring 365 working days a year were also discussed, the statement said. The statement emphasized the need to use the Damini app, Nocast and various Google alerts to promote effective early warning to achieve the zero death target for the coming monsoon season.

The meeting was attended by officials and scientists from IMD, NRSC, Central Water Commission (CWC), Integrated Defense Staff, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indian Coast Guard, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs. With the residential commissioners of 19 flood prone states and union territories.