The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) held a high level review meeting to review possible impact of El Niño on various sectors and preparedness measures. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary to Prime Minister, Dr P.K. Mishra, at the Seva Theerth yesterday. Secretaries and senior officials of more than fifteen Ministries were present at the meeting. Dr Mishra directed that the overall situation should be continuously monitored and the impact of the monsoon or delayed monsoon on vulnerable districts must be assessed in coordination with States so that remedial action can be taken up when necessary. He emphasised that ensuring adequate availability of drinking water in vulnerable districts must be a top priority and directed optimal reservoir water utilisation and judicious use of available water.
During the meeting, officials of the India Meteorological Department presented the overall rainfall situation in June and July. The Director General of the Met Department updated on the status of monsoon coverage in the country and the possible impact of El Nino. He informed that, weak to moderate El Nino is expected in July and August. Secretary, Agriculture made a detailed presentation on the preparedness for possible impact of El Nino during the kharif season. He underlined that weekly meetings of Crop Weather Watch group along with States are being convened to enable timely decision making and contingency response. He noted that District Agriculture Contingency Plans have been updated for 262 vulnerable districts and campaigns for Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojna and Kisan Credit Card coverage in vulnerable states have also been initiated.
During the meeting, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying was asked to assess the availability of dry fodder, green fodder and cattle feed, at both macro and micro level. Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation informed that they are continuously monitoring and the situation as on date is stable. The Department of Water Resources shared the position of ground water and reservoir status in the country. Department of Health and Family Welfare have also put in place advisories for heat waves, high humidity and dengue outbreaks. Effective communication of alerts and advisories will also be ensured till the field level.
Further, the Department of Consumer Affairs and Fertilizer were suggested to constantly monitor both macro and micro availability of essential commodities and fertilizers. Department of Rural Development briefed on the works that commenced under Viksit Bharat- Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission from the 1st of this month. Apart from that, the Department of Agricultural Research and Education shared the spread of climate resilient seed varieties, while the Department of Power shared the status of generation and availability.
