New Delhi, May 21 (FN Agency) Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla on Friday asked the States and Union Territories (UTs) to make extra efforts to secure all health facilities, oxygen generation plants from heavy rains/floods during impending SW Monsoon. In an annual conference of Relief Commissioners and Secretaries of Departments of Disaster Management of States, UTs to review preparedness for handling natural disasters in coming monsoon, Mr Bhalla stressed on the need for building up capacities and response reflexes to ensure 24×7 preparedness throughout the year.
The Union Home Secretary also asked all concerned officials of the Central and the State Governments to be better prepared, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize losses due to natural disasters, such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes. During the meeting, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) made a presentation on forecasting, warning and dissemination mechanism, response and preparedness measures and their future plans for enhancing capability in the field of disaster management.
Representatives of States and Union Territories, Central Ministries, Central Armed Police Forces, IMD, Central Water Commission (CWC), Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), NRSC, (ISRO), GSI and other Scientific Organisations, along with Armed Forces and National Disaster Response Force participated in the Conference.