Mood upbeat as Maharashtra to get 20-25 per cent more rain

he meteorology department has predicted average 20-25 per cent more rainfall in all parts of the state, bringing good news and relief to the population facing intense summer heat. It has forecast that Vidarbha will receive 31 per cent over and above the average rainfall, Central Maharashtra from Khandesh to Warhad will receive 28 per cent more, Marathwada 24 per cent more, Western Marathwada 24 per cent more and the Konkan region will get 27 per cent more rain.

“It has come as a relief to us that the state will receive more than average rainfall according to the meteorology department. We have instructed the district level mechanism to be prepared for floods in case of more rainfall,” chief secretary Swadhin Kshatriya said. The government held a meeting to review monsoon preparedness and keep all the systems alert last week.

“We have launched a new disaster management policy and a plan to face any crisis in the future. The government is also going to distribute handbooks with all the emergency numbers up till the district level officials so help will be readily available in case of any disaster. The state is in touch with the National Disaster Response Force, Army, Navy in case there’s a calamity,” Mr Kshatriya said.

The disaster management policy is a comprehensive document defining various possible disasters and quick response system to it. It has also categorised the disasters and calamities using a colour code to give the machinery at work a better idea of immediate measures to be taken. This is the first such policy the state has drawn on the lines of United Nations Development Programme.

The government is also prepared to send early warning messages for cyclone, lightning, heavy rainfall etc. Mock drills are also being conducted at the district level to quickly respond to any disaster, Mr Kshatriya added.