Bihar's Katihar gears up to face monsoon, floods

KATIHAR: Katihar DM Udayan Mishra on Sunday said of 236 panchayats in the district, devices to measure rainfall have been installed at 138 places ahead of onset of monsoon.
The DM, who attended a virtual meeting chaired by minister (incharge) of the district Pramod Kumar to review monsoon and flood preparedness, said district agriculture officer has prepared a blueprint for crop insurance and mapping of resources has also been done in all anchals.
All elected representatives of the district, chiefs of political parties and senior officials attended the meeting. “Deputy CM Tarkishore Prasad, land reforms and labour resources minister and additional chief secretary (RCD) were also present,” the DM said.
“We have entered into an agreement with 371 private boat operators and around 250 government-run boats have been repaired. The embankments in the district were inspected by the engineers and officials of the district administration. It was decided that a home guard jawan will be deployed after every 1km of the embankment and a junior engineer after every 10km. The control room in the district has also been activated,” he added.
The DM said the civil surgeon has been asked to keep sufficient stock of medicines. “The requisition for one battalion of NDRF has been made. Divers are being trained to carry out rescue operations,” he added.