Guwahati: Assam's Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, on Monday, spearheaded a review of the state's flood preparedness during a high-level meeting that brought together key stakeholders to assess readiness and strategize for potential challenges.

Gathering insights from District Commissioners (DCs) and departmental heads, Kota scrutinized the state's readiness to tackle floods, a recurring natural calamity in Assam. Gyanendra Dev Tripathi, Principal Secretary of Revenue & Disaster Management, presented an overview of flood preparedness measures, emphasizing the utilization of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and financial allocations for the upcoming fiscal year.

Meanwhile, the state's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has revealed a new initiative to tackle urban flooding in Guwahati at an election campaign rally earlier this week. The program, titled 'Mission Flood Free' is set to implement extensive measures to control and mitigate flooding. These measures are expected to include the improvement of drainage systems, the construction of flood barriers, and the implementation of sustainable water management practices.

Assam with its vast network of rivers is prone to natural disasters like floods and erosion, causing immense destruction to lives and property. Last year, at least 8 people died due to drowning during the monsoons. In 2023, the World Bank’s Executive Board of Directors approved a $108 million loan to help Assam improve disaster preparedness and enhance flood forecasting. The state government, in its latest budget, has allocated Rs 200 crore to integrate wetlands with the Brahmaputra River to divert floodwater.

A notable highlight of the meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary was the demonstration by Civic Data Lab (CDL) of their Intelligent Data Solution for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDS-DRR), developed specifically for the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA). Kota expressed interest in exploring further data-driven solutions to enhance disaster preparedness and response efforts.

Decisions made during the meeting included the delegation of financial powers to District Commissioners for minor flood-related works during the specified flood season period, as per the finance department's notification. Additionally, updates were provided on ongoing flood mitigation schemes by the Brahmaputra Board, with measures in place to prevent potential flood-related eventualities.

Meteorological forecasting was also a focal point, with the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) committing to issue updated state forecasts by the end of May, providing a seven-day prediction for more accurate rainfall forecasts. Acknowledging the need for swift infrastructure repairs during and after floods, the Public Works Department (PWD) requested additional financial flexibility beyond existing norms to undertake road repair and restoration.

Furthermore, the Food & Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department sought central government assistance, requesting 20,000 metric tons of OMSS rice for Assam. Kota has promised to pursue the matter with the central government to ensure timely aid.

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