Mumbai, May 22 (IANS). The state government has started preparations on a large scale to strengthen disaster management before the monsoon in Maharashtra. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday directed all departments to reduce disaster risks and implement relief operations effectively.
He also asked to start the process of developing AI based Integrated Command and Control System to strengthen disaster management and emergency response across Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister was speaking in a review meeting organized regarding pre-monsoon preparedness and disaster management. He said that every monsoon brings new challenges, hence it is important to strengthen the preparations by learning from past incidents.
CM Fadnavis directed all the departments to review their preparations within the next 15 days and wherever there are operational shortcomings, they should be removed on priority basis. He said that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should be strictly followed, timely warnings should be issued, prompt relief should be provided and there should be no delay in helping the affected people.
The Chief Minister also directed to connect the Ministry, Police, Municipal Corporations and different control rooms through an Integrated Response System, so that there can be better coordination during monsoon and faster relief to the citizens.
Disaster Management Minister Girish Mahajan said that during the release of water from dams, sometimes flood situation occurs in low-lying areas. In view of this, there is a need for better coordination. He directed to conduct structural audit of weak bridges and stop traffic there if found unsafe.
Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Makrand Patil said that the state government has approved a special relief package for crop loss, damage to houses, death of livestock and loss of life.
Under this, compensation of up to Rs 10 thousand per hectare will be given on loss of Kharif crop, compensation of Rs 47 thousand on loss of land due to floods and assistance up to Rs 5 thousand under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. He said that the state government has deposited Rs 16,224 crore in the accounts of 1.06 lakh farmers through DBT.
For the first time, compensation of Rs 30 thousand per well has been approved for damaged wells. About 11 thousand wells will benefit from this. Also, the relief eligibility limit has been increased from 2 hectares to 3 hectares.
The preparedness of several agencies including the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, India Meteorological Department (IMD), NDRF, SDRF, Railways, Department of Telecommunications, BMC, and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority was also reviewed in the meeting.
–IANS
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