Complete all flood protection works before arrival of monsoon, Bihar CM tells officials

PATNA: Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday asked officials to complete all remaining flood protection works across the state before the arrival of monsoon, which is expected to enter the state by June 13.
Chairing a high-level meeting with cabinet ministers, state’s top bureaucrats and senior field officers like divisional commissioners, district magistrates and SPs to assess the pre-flood and drought situation, he further asked the DMs to ensure adequate availability/ storage of all essential human medicines, cattle’s medicines, anti-snake venom, bleaching powder and medicine of diarrhea in their respective jurisdiction.
He said the vents of all small bridges and culverts, which serve as a passage to the floodwater, must be cleaned and cleared to minimize the risk of washing away of the rural roads.
The CM further asked the water resources department (WRD) officials to complete all anti-erosion works and flood protection works before the advent of monsoon. “In case of floods, special vigil should be maintained to protect the embankment. Engage local people for keeping a watch on the embankments and ensure their proper training by the experts,” he told the WRD’s field officers.
He asked the DMs to ensure adequate availability of boats in the flood-prone areas so that people do not face difficulty in case of floods. “Ensure timely payment of the rent of the hired private boats and remuneration of sailors,” the DMs were told.
Nitish also said the districts which have so far not completed the construction work of the flood shelters, would complete the work as early as possible.
The CM pointed out that the community kitchens were run very properly during the last year’s flood. “All DMs should ensure that such community kitchens are run in proper manner even this year in case of floods,” he said.
Nitish further directed the ministers and principal secretaries/secretaries in-charge of their respective districts to visit their allotted areas within a week and ensure that the DMs have made all necessary preparedness for floods or drought in their respective jurisdiction. “If the ministers or secretaries find any shortcomings in the district administration’s preparedness, they get it resolved immediately,” the CM said.
Earlier, a representative of the IMD informed the CM that this year monsoon is expected to arrive in Bihar by June 13. “There is a possibility of normal or more than normal rainfall in Bihar during this year’s monsoon”, the IMD officers said.
Almost all cabinet ministers and the heads of departments attended the review meeting which lasted for more than five and a half hours at the ‘Samvad’ Hall of the CM secretariat here. Field officers like all divisional commissioners, all zonal and range IGs, all DMs and all SPs were connected to the meeting through videoconferencing.