CM Nitish Kumar today held a review meeting at the Secretariat to review the preparedness to deal with possible floods and drought. The meeting was attended by all district magistrates and senior police officials.
Pratyaya Amrit, Additional Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Department, informed about the rainfall forecast for monsoon 2025, which predicted below normal rainfall in June and normal rainfall from July to September. He also informed about the preparations being made under the SOP such as boats, polythene sheets, relief materials, medicines, fodder, shelters, community kitchens and food packets.
The Chief Minister told the officials that the disaster victims have the first right over the resources of the state, and the government is committed to provide all possible help. He reminded that before 2005, disaster management was neglected, but now it is being given priority. He referred to the major disasters of 2007 and 2008 and how extensive relief work was carried out.
The Chief Minister informed that the amount of ex-gratia has been increased to ₹7000, and an assistance of ₹4 lakh is given to the next of kin of the deceased. He directed the officials to complete all the preparations by the first week of June.
All districts were asked to ensure timely arrangements for road repair, protection of embankments, medical treatment, drinking water, compensation for crop damage and other relief. He also asked them to be alert and constantly monitor the change in weather.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers, Ministers of various departments, Chief Secretary, Principal Secretary, other senior officers, members of Disaster Management Authority, representatives of NDRF, SDRF and Meteorological Centre.