Maharashtra: CM Thackeray holds pre-monsoon preparedness meeting

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray held a pre-monsoon preparedness review meeting via video conferencing on Tuesday. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, minister Vijay Wadettiwar, MoS Prajakt Prasadrao Tanpure, Chief Secretary, officials of Railways, Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, IMD & others were present in the meeting.

We will undertake disaster rescue works, but due caution will have to be taken due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation. He instructed the administration to make the necessary protective equipment, kits and masks available for this, informed Maharashtra Chief Minister's Office (CMO). 

Key highlights of the meeting:

To prevent a flood situation like last year in Sangli- Kolhapur, discharge of water from dams should be planned and regulated. The CM asked for co-ordination to be ensured now with the Department concerned for release of water from the Almatti dam in Karnataka, informed Maharashtra CMO.

While technology enables prediction of weather trends, monsoons may sometimes defy forecasts. Sometimes, low-pressure belts are created, causing storms, heavy rainfall, cloudbursts. Hence, all departments must ensure proper co-ordination with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

While flight operations take weather conditions into account, the Railway must plan its train journeys after considering the forecasts on their routes. The CM referred to how the Mahalaxmi Express was held up in heavy rains at Badlapur.

We will undertake disaster rescue works, but due caution will have to be taken due to the prevailing COVID situation. He instructed the administration to make the necessary protective equipment, kits and masks available for this.

To prevent a flood situation like last year in Sangli- Kolhapur, discharge of water from dams should be planned and regulated. The CM asked for co-ordination to be ensured now with the Dept concerned for the release of water from the Almatti dam in Karnataka.

It is important that storm water drains in Mumbai be cleaned and deepened for timely discharge of rain water. Pumping stations must function properly. It must be ensured that pipes which discharge water are clean.

It should be ensured that there are no potholes on roads in cities and rural areas, and these potholes, if any, must be repaired immediately.

The CM asked for division-wise and district-wise meetings to be taken with the doctors concerned to ensure there are no cases of infectious diseases in the monsoons.