Lucknow, July 1 (Reporter) Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said that well-planned efforts to find a permanent solution to the longstanding problem of floods, which have caused widespread loss of life and property in the state, have produced positive results In the past seven years. While reviewing the ongoing preparations for flood management and safety measures with senior officials, the CM said, "There has been an unprecedented reduction in the number of districts highly sensitive to flooding. Following expert advice, we have successfully minimised flood risks by using the latest technology." He said, "Effective inter-departmental coordination has played a crucial role in protecting lives from floods. This year as well, the safety of people should be ensured through better coordination, swift action, and improved management in the event of floods." Yogi said that a total of 24 districts in the state are categorised as highly sensitive to flooding. "These districts include Maharajganj, Kushinagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, Gorakhpur, Basti, Bahraich, Bijnor, Siddharthnagar, Ghazipur, Gonda, Ballia, Deoria, Sitapur, Balrampur, Ayodhya, Mau, Farrukhabad, Shravasti, Budaun, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Pilibhit and Barabanki." He said, "Saharanpur, Shamli, Aligarh, Bareilly, Hamirpur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Rampur, Prayagraj, Bulandshahr, Moradabad, Hardoi, Varanasi, Unnao, Lucknow, Shahjahanpur and Kasganj are also considered sensitive. The CM said that sufficient reserve stock should be collected for flood emergencies in highly sensitive and sensitive areas. "Adequate lighting and necessary equipment should also be arranged at these sites. The Jal Shakti Minister and both State Ministers should visit the highly sensitive and sensitive areas, as well as inspect the projects related to flood protection," he directed. He said that according to the forecast of the Meteorological Department, there will be sufficient rainfall this year. "Maintain vigilance in the districts bordering Nepal and Uttarakhand. Flood bulletins and weather forecasts should be issued regularly for the convenience of the general public and for better management of relief and rescue operations," he said. Yogi said that there should be better coordination between the Meteorological Department, Central Water Commission and Central Disaster Management Authority with the state's Irrigation and Water Resources, Home, Medical and Health, Food and Civil Supplies, Revenue and Relief, Animal Husbandry, Agriculture, State Disaster Management and Remote Sensing Authority. He said, "Continuous communication with central agencies and departments should be maintained. Assessment and estimation reports should be promptly shared with field officers for effective response and management." The CM said that channelisation of rivers is proving useful in safeguarding residential areas and agriculture along riverbanks. "It is imperative to ensure timely completion of ongoing drainage and channelisation projects in Ambedkar Nagar, Balrampur, Barabanki, Sitapur, and Shrawasti. Proper utilisation of the extracted silt is essential for maximising the benefits of these projects," he said. He said that flood relief control rooms at both state and district levels should operate in active mode round the clock. "UP Police Radio Headquarters has set up 113 wireless centres in flood-affected districts, which must remain operational continuously throughout the monsoon season," he directed. Yogi said that regular monitoring of flood and heavy rainfall situations is essential. "The NDRF, SDRF, PAC flood units, and disaster management teams should remain active round the clock. Utilise the services of home guards and disaster relief volunteers effectively. Develop a comprehensive action plan detailing deployment schedules and locations. Ensure seamless coordination among all agencies involved for efficient disaster response and management," he said. He directed that arrangements for boats and relief materials must be made promptly. "There should be no delay in providing relief in flood or heavy rainfall-affected areas. Immediate assistance must be provided to affected families without any delay. Ensure that boats used are sufficiently large, avoid using small boats or canoes altogether. Ensure that all individuals on board wear life jackets for their safety," he said. The CM said that during and after floods the risk of disease outbreaks increases significantly. "To address this, the Medical and Health Department should prepare health kits and distribute them to districts. These kits should include essential items such as chlorine tablets, ORS (oral rehydration salts) and an adequate supply of fever medications. Immediate medical assistance should be readily available for individuals affected by snake bites," he said. He said that in villages prone to water logging during floods, it's crucial to make arrangements for the safety of animals. Ideally, animals should be relocated to safe areas away from flood-prone zones. "Adequate provisions should be made for animal fodder in destitute cow shelters. Timely vaccination of animals should be ensured to maintain their health and well-being during flood situations," he said. Yogi said that in flood relief camps, it is important to provide people with fresh food. "There should also be no compromise on the quality of other relief materials provided. The relief material packets should be durable and easy for people to carry," he said. He said that the farmers whose crops are damaged due to excessive rains should be compensated promptly. "It is crucial to keep farmers informed about favourable farming conditions through regular updates on weather forecasts," he said. The CM said that given the impact on construction projects due to rain, necessary arrangements should be made in advance. "Electricity poles, wires, and roads should be repaired in time in flood-affected areas," he said. During the meeting, the Chief Minister was briefed that ensuring the safety of people and property remains a top priority, and timely preparations have been made for flood protection in 2024. Maintenance work on 37 embankments across 17 highly sensitive districts has been completed. Officers-in-charge and Assistant Engineers have been nominated for all highly sensitive embankments, with continuous inspection and monitoring conducted by regional officers and staff. He was informed that flood prevention works have been completed through flood projects by identifying the highly sensitive and sensitive places affected by floods in the year 2023. Steering group meetings chaired by District Magistrates have been convened in all 75 districts to address flood-related challenges...////...