New Delhi: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Friday reviewed the situation arising from below-normal rainfall and the possibility of drought conditions in parts of the country due to El Niño.
He directed all concerned ministries to remain vigilant and strengthen coordination with state governments.
Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan attended the meeting along with senior officials, including the Union home secretary, the Union Agriculture Secretary, and representatives from various ministries and agencies, according to an official statement.
Shah said the Centre is continuously monitoring the situation arising from below-normal rainfall and the possibility of drought conditions due to El Niño. He directed the Ministry of Agriculture and other concerned ministries to work closely with state governments and advise farmers on suitable crops based on local conditions.
He also asked the Department of Water Resources to closely monitor water levels in reservoirs across the country. Stressing the need for efficient water use, Shah called for greater focus on alternative crops that require less water, including fodder, millets and pulses.
The home minister also directed the Ministry of Power to take necessary steps to ensure a smooth and adequate supply of electricity.
Officials informed the meeting that adequate stocks of essential food grains, including rice and wheat, are available in the country and that the prices of essential commodities remain stable.
Separately, Shah directed the Ministry of Home Affairs to depute an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rainfall, flash floods and landslides.
The IMCT will conduct on-the-spot assessments to evaluate damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and human habitations. Assam has witnessed rising floodwaters in several districts, while Arunachal Pradesh has reported landslides and road blockages in several hilly areas.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the ministries of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Water Resources, Consumer Affairs, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Power, Rural Development, and Science and Technology. Representatives of the National Disaster Management Authority, the India Meteorological Department, and the National Remote Sensing Centre were also present.
