Gandhinagar, July 28 (IANS) As heavy rainfall continues to affect parts of south and central Gujarat, the state government on Tuesday reviewed its flood monitoring and reservoir management systems, with Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel directing officials to ensure timely dissemination of flood warnings to prevent loss of life and property.
The minister visited the Flood Control Cell at the State Water Data Centre in Gandhinagar, where he chaired a review meeting with senior officials to assess the prevailing rainfall situation, reservoir levels and the state’s flood response mechanism.
During the meeting, Patel said that heavy rainfall in upstream catchment areas or within local regions leads to increased inflows into reservoirs, making timely communication essential.
He instructed officials to ensure that High Alert, Alert and Warning notifications issued during such situations are promptly shared not only with the concerned departmental officers but also with district collectors and local administrative authorities so that advance warnings can be issued to communities.
“When there is heavy rainfall in upstream areas or at the local level, water flows into reservoirs. High Alert, Alert and Warning notifications should be communicated promptly to the concerned officials as well as district collectors and the administration so that advance information can be shared locally and loss of life and property can be avoided,” he said.
Patel said the Water Resources Department was implementing the ‘Disaster Management Plan-2026’ in coordination with various government departments.
As part of the monsoon preparedness plan, the Flood Control Cell at the State Water Data Centre remains operational every year from June 1 to October 31, or until the monsoon season ends.
“The state government has kept 12 hotline connections, 14 satellite phones and around 413 wireless communication sets operational round the clock to facilitate the rapid exchange of information from districts during emergencies,” he emphasised.
He added that the Reservoir Data Management System provides updated, data-based information on rainfall and reservoir conditions across Gujarat through the Dams Warning Status and Rainfall platform, allowing continuous monitoring and analysis of the state’s water resources.
During his visit, the minister also contacted local officials through the hotline network to review water inflow and outflow at several reservoirs, including the Ukai Dam, and issued necessary instructions after assessing the latest rainfall and reservoir conditions.
Officials also made a detailed presentation on the functioning of the State Water Data Centre and its monitoring systems.
Water Resources Department Secretary, P.C. Vyas, chief engineers from all zones of the state, senior departmental officials and staff attended the review meeting.
–IANS
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