Union Home Minister Amit Shah conducted a comprehensive review on Sunday of the country's preparedness to manage the annual challenge posed by monsoon-induced floods affecting various regions.
Each year, extensive swathes of Bihar, Assam, and several eastern states contend with inundation caused by rising river levels due to torrential monsoon rains.
"The home minister chaired a high-level meeting and assessed the overall readiness for flood management across the nation," remarked a senior home ministry official.
Additionally, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and a few other states grapple with landslides and other rain-related challenges during the monsoon season.
In recent years, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Jammu and Kashmir have also witnessed devastating floods.
Attending the meeting were Union Minister of Jal Shakti C R Patil, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, along with secretaries from ministries and departments overseeing Home Affairs, Water Resources, River Development, Earth Sciences, Environment, Road Transport, and the Chairman of the Railway Board. Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) were also present.
Presently, numerous districts in Assam are confronting severe floods, affecting over 1.17 lakh individuals across 10 districts.
According to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, flood waters have submerged 968 villages spread across 27 revenue circles in these districts. Sarma reported via X that authorities have established 134 relief camps and 94 distribution centers, providing refuge to 17,661 affected individuals.
Officials have confirmed 37 fatalities due to this year's floods, landslides, and storms in the state, with one person reported missing.
