As floods continue ravage large parts of the country, Uma Bharti, Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, on Saturday reviewed the situation and the action being taken at the national level.
After the meeting, Bharti announced that she would visit Uttar Pradesh and Bihar next week, according to an official release.
“The Minster will visit Uttar Pradesh on 21st August and Bihar on 25th August for discussions on flood related issues with the State Governments,” the release said, adding that she was also planning to visit Uttarakhand in connection with India-Nepal Pancheshwar Multipurpose project. Amarjit Singh, Secretary in the Ministry is already in Assam to survey the affected areas.
The Minister was briefed that the Central Water Commission (CWC) had issued around 3,200 flood forecasts to all concerned user agencies which helped the district administrations in timely evacuation and saving of lives of millions of people, the release added.
The Minister directed that all the organisations under the Ministry to extend all possible help to the flood-affected people.
Bharti also reiterated that the long-term solution to mitigate flood and droughts lay in the inter-linking of rivers along with building of large storages.
“She said the Ministry has obtained all clearances for Ken-Betwa Link Project in MP and UP. The Minister was pleased to state that Uttar Pradesh Government has conveyed its support to Ken Betwa river interlinking project and the response of Madhya Pradesh government is expected to be received soon,” the release added.