Take Measures To Avoid Deaths Due To Heatwave: PM Modi Tells Officials In High-End Review Meet

Prime Minister was briefed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) about the persistence of high temperatures

New Delhi: As several parts of the country continue to reel under intense heatwave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday chaired a meeting to review preparations for heatwave management as well as the upcoming monsoon session. During the meeting, PM Modi stressed on the need to take all measures to avoid deaths due to heatwave or fire incidents. The crucial meeting took place hours after Prime Minister returned India after concluding a three-nation trip to Europe. 

According to reports, the Prime Minister was briefed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) about the persistence of high temperatures between March to May 2022 across the country. 

Post getting the brief, PM Modi said that "we need to take all measures" to avoid deaths due to heatwave or fire incidents, according to the statement. He also asserted that the response time towards any such incidents should be minimal.

The high-end meeting was attended by advisors to PM, cabinet secretary, secretaries in the ministries of home, health, Jal Shakti, member NDMA, DGs of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and DG NDRF.

As per the official statement, the Prime Minister also spoke about the need to work to substantially reduce the vulnerability of forests across the diverse forest ecosystems in the country against fire hazards.

He also asked officials to enhance the capabilities of forest personnel and institutions for timely detection of a possible fire and for fighting fires, and to speed up recovery after a fire event.

Speaking about upcoming monsoon in the country, PM Modi directed officials to bring in place a proper system for monitoring the quality of drinking water to avoid contamination and resultant spread of water-borne diseases.

The need for effective coordination between central and state agencies to ensure preparedness of all systems for any incidents in the wake of heatwave and upcoming monsoon was also discussed during the high-end meeting.