19-05-2025
Scale up monsoon readiness: Bidari directs govt depts
Nagpur: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting an early onset of monsoon in Vidarbha and possible heavy downpours in some regions, divisional commissioner
Vijayalakshmi Bidari
on Monday directed all administrative and disaster management agencies to adopt immediate and coordinated preparedness measures.
In a high-level pre-monsoon review meeting, Bidari asked district officials to lower water levels in key dams — including Gosikhurd, Upper Wardha, Isapur, and inter-state reservoirs like Sanjay Sarovar and Medigatta — to pre-empt potential flood risks. "It's critical to monitor water levels closely and take timely discharge decisions to prevent human and livestock casualties," she said.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), state and national disaster response forces, Water Resources Department (WRD), and police department.
Collectors and SPs from six eastern Maharashtra districts joined the meeting via video conference.
All urban bodies were told to immediately identify and remove structurally unsafe hoardings and banners. "These structures become hazards during storms. They must be dismantled before the rains intensify," Bidari instructed.
She also urged districts to replicate Bhandara's Dima (Disaster Information and Management Assistant) chatbot model to keep citizens informed about extreme weather events and emergencies.
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"Make sure official platforms like the FloodWatch app from the Central Water Commission are promoted and used effectively," she directed officials.
With parts of Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and Gondia falling in remote tribal zones, Bidari directed officials to relocate pregnant women from vulnerable areas ahead of the monsoon. Citing past incidents, she asked local authorities to secure dam and reservoir areas that attract tourists.
Additional guidance was issued for ashram schools and hostels, with the commissioner emphasizing the need to ensure access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation to prevent disease outbreaks among students. "The health department must remain vigilant and act proactively to contain monsoon-related diseases," she said.
During the review, departments including health, irrigation, civic bodies, and the armed forces presented detailed monsoon contingency plans. Bidari emphasized that the unified approach must be proactive rather than reactive. "Early planning and inter-departmental coordination will be the difference between disaster management and disaster prevention," she concluded.
