Patna: With the southwest monsoon expected to arrive in Bihar by mid-June, the state’s Disaster Management Department held a high-level review meeting on Wednesday to assess flood preparedness across 16 vulnerable districts.
The meeting, chaired by Disaster Management Minister Vijay Kumar Mandal and Additional Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit, included district magistrates, additional collectors, and assistant disaster management officers from East and West Champaran, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Shivhar, Gopalganj, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, Saharsa, Supaul, Madhepura, Purnia, Katihar, Kishanganj and Araria.
Director of Bihar Mausam Seva Kendra CN Prabhu opened the session with a detailed presentation forecasting the onset and pattern of the 2025 monsoon.
Minister Mandal emphasised that, in line with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s directives, all districts must complete flood preparedness tasks without delay. “Special attention must be given to areas prone to crop damage,” he said.
Additional Chief Secretary Amrit urged officials to prioritise pre-flood works in anticipation of heavy rainfall beginning June 14 or 15. “River water levels, embankment erosion, and dam integrity must be monitored closely. Immediate rectification of structural faults is essential,” he said. He instructed that physical inspections of flood infrastructure—including polythene sheets, relief supplies, boats, medicines, and fodder—be completed promptly.
Officials were also told to keep District Emergency Operation Centres functional round the clock, ensure media briefings to raise public awareness, and minimise response times during disasters. The setup and readiness of flood relief centres, community kitchens, medical camps, and accommodations for NDRF and SDRF personnel were reviewed as critical areas of concern.
The meeting was attended by Joint Secretary of the Disaster Management Department Nadeemul Gaffar Siddiqui, Officer on Special Duty Sandeep Kumar, and other senior officials from NDRF, SDRF, and the department.
