Patna: With the monsoon expected to advance into Bihar soon, the Disaster Management Department convened a high-level review meeting on Saturday to assess flood preparedness across 16 vulnerable districts of the state. The meeting was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit and connected district officials via video conferencing.
Additional District Magistrates, Disaster Management Officers, and Assistant Disaster Management Officers from East Champaran, West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Gopalganj, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj, and Araria participated in the review.
Pratyaya evaluated the current rainfall situation and reviewed critical aspects of flood readiness. These included the availability and distribution of polythene sheets, finalisation of flood relief material rates, readiness of government boats, agreements with private boat operators, and the establishment of fare rates. He also emphasised the importance of ensuring round-the-clock operation of District Emergency Operation Centres and adequate arrangements at flood relief camps and community kitchens.
Further instructions were issued to ensure proper lodging and basic facilities for disaster response teams such as the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Officials were directed to report all progress on the DSS portal and adhere to the Standard Operating Procedures in place.
The meeting was also attended by Joint Secretary of the Disaster Management Department Mohd. Nadeemul Gaffar Siddiqui, Officers on Special Duty Sandeep Kumar and Avinash Kumar, and Director of Bihar Mausam Seva Kendra CN Prabhu.
