Amit Shah reviews India’s flood and heatwave preparedness in high‑level Delhi meeting

Rashmi Pandey — Sun, 10 May 2026 14:05:43 +0000

Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday reviewed the country’s preparedness for possible floods and heatwaves at a high‑level meeting in New Delhi, underlining the need for a coordinated “zero‑casualty” disaster‑management approach. The meeting brought together central agencies, disaster‑management authorities and state‑level officials to assess early‑warning systems, response infrastructure, and measures to protect lives and infrastructure ahead of the monsoon and peak summer months.

Officials said the review focused on strengthening flood‑forecasting and early‑warning systems through advanced technology and real‑time data integration, so that water releases and evacuations can be managed in a timely manner. The meeting also highlighted the challenge of “compound disasters” such as floods coinciding with heatwaves, with the home ministry stressing that states must prepare integrated action plans for both hazards.

Emphasis was placed on building community awareness and resilience, including information campaigns, evacuation drills, and protective measures for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, outdoor workers and those living in low‑lying areas. The government has also directed states to ensure adequate stockpiles of relief materials and medical preparedness, including heat‑related emergency stocks and safe water supply in flood‑prone zones.

Shah directed that Flood Crisis Management Teams (FCMT) must be formed and activated in every state, in line with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines. He said NDMA should study how many states are actually implementing the ministry’s circulars and NDMA’s directions on dealing with wildfires, heatwaves and floods, and report on the implementation gap at the state, district and municipal levels.

The home minister also highlighted the role of water conservation in reducing flood and water‑scarcity risks. He said that under the Prime Minister’s “zero‑casualty” vision, the government should step up projects for water storage and check‑dams on rivers, so that water levels can be regulated and groundwater recharge improved.

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Amit Shah reviews India’s flood and heatwave preparedness in high‑level Delhi meeting