Maharashtra was unprepared to face flood: CAG

Mumbai, Apr 17 (UNI) Maharashtra, which witnessed the worst ever torrential rainfalls in July 2005 and August 2006 was not prepared for facing the floods, according to an observation made by the Comptroller and Auditor General's report for the year ending March 31, 2006.

The state faced flood like situation for the two consecutive years in which 1,500 people died and 27,000 cattle perished.

However, the report said disaster management plan formulated in 1997 was not followed systematically in most of the talukas. Long term plans such as de-siltation of river, improvement of drainage system were not done, the report added.

De-siltation works in Mithi river, recommended by a committee in 1993, commenced only after the 2005 floods, the report said.

Relief assistance was extended without proper identification of affected persons, financial management was deficient and monitoring of relief and rehabilitation activities was unsatisfactory, the report added.

UNI