Complete flood protection work before monsoon: Bihar CM

PATNA: CM Nitish Kumar on Wednesday asked officials to complete the remaining flood protection works before 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, DMs and SPs through videoconference to assess the pre-flood and drought situation, Nitish asked the DMs to ensure adequate availability/storage of all essential medicines for human beings, cattle, anti-snake venom and bleaching powder in their respective jurisdictions.
He said the vents of all small bridges and culverts, which serve as a passage to the floodwaters, must be cleared to minimize the risk of washing away of rural roads. The CM asked the water resources department (WRD) officials to complete anti-erosion and flood protection works before the advent of monsoon. “In case of floods, special vigil should be maintained to protect the embankments. Engage local people for keeping a watch on the embankments and ensure their proper training by the experts,” he told the WRD officers.
The CM 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 to the sailors,” the DMs were told.
Nitish also said the districts which have so far not completed the construction work of the flood shelters would finish the work as early as possible. “All DMs should ensure that community kitchens are run in a proper manner even this year in case of floods,” he said.
The CM 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. “If the ministers or secretaries find any shortcomings in the preparedness, they get it resolved immediately,” the CM said.