Home Ministry to review monsoon preparedness

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) Ahead of the onset of the South-West Monsoon in June, States and Union Territories will meet here tomorrow to review the status of preparedness to handle possible calamities.

The review in the Home Ministry is part of its annual exercise at which Relief Commissioners and Secretaries (Disaster Management) of states and UTs -will participate.

The South-West monsoon sets over India in the first week of June, starting from Kerala.

India receives its major quantum of rainfall from the South-West monsoon, which lasts till September. It is the main source of water for agriculture in the country, where the farming sector provides livelihood to more than two-thirds of the country's population.

A good monsoon would raise farm output, boost rural income and spur spending and investment, which would further boost the country's agro-based economy. At the same time, it also brings with it a trail of devastation due to floods.

A normal monsoon has been predicted by the India Meteorological Department for the forthcoming monsoon season.

States like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Asom and Gujarat are among the states which are more prone to devastation from floods.

Home Ministry sources said about 40 Central Ministries, Departments and Organisations which render Emergency Support functions in the wake of natural calamities will participate in the Conference.

Key Central Organisations such as the India Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission, Ministries of Defence and Health and Family Welfare will make presentations detailing the Early Warning and Preparatory and Logistic support to be rendered by them in the wake of various natural disasters.

Home Secretary Madhukar Gupta will inaugurate the Conference.

A preparatory meeting to discuss and finalise various issues to be taken up at the annual conference was held on April 13 under the chairmanship of Secretary (Border Management) U N Panjiar.

Representatives of the States and those of the Central Ministries took part in the meeting.

UNI