PM meets CMs from six states, studies flood situation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with the Chief Ministers of six states to assess the flood situation and discuss relief measures.

NEW DELHI: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a virtual meeting with six-state chief ministers
to review the flood situation and stressed the need to use advanced technology to strengthen forecasting
and warning systems said the Prime Minister’s Office.

In addition to Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala chief ministers, the meeting was attended by the minister of defence, Rajnath Singh, the minister of health, Dr. Harsh Vardhan, and the two ministers of home affairs, along with senior officials of the central ministries and concerned organizations.

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“(The) Prime Minister emphasized on better coordination between all central and state agencies to have a permanent system for forecasting of floods and extensive use of innovative technologies for improving forecast and warning system,” it added.

“There are pilot efforts underway to also use innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to improve location-specific forecast, for which states must provide necessary information to these agencies and timely disseminate the warnings to local communities,” the Prime Minister told chief ministers.

The PM said given the COVID-19 situation, states must ensure people follow all health precautions such as wearing of face masks, using hand sanitizers and maintaining an adequate physical distance while undertaking rescue efforts.

He said relief material must include provisions for hand washing and sanitizing, and face masks for the affected people. Special provisions must also be made for the elderly, pregnant women and people with co-morbidities.