NHAI activates flood plan after IMD forecast

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

flood plan to safeguard lives and property amid forecasts of an above-normal monsoon rainfall in most of the country in July and August.

A senior government official told ET that the plan includes identifying vulnerable locations, drawing up alternate diversion routes and deploying emergency response teams at critical points. Besides, all vulnerable slopes and tunnels will be monitored in real time.

The multi-pronged strategy is aimed at protecting highway users, minimising travel inconvenience and keeping down damage to national highways. The IMD has forecast above-normal rainfall across India in July, with rainfall expected to exceed 106% of the long-period average, which is the benchmark.

Under the plan, the NHAI is identifying vulnerable locations that may be severely impacted due to rains and is in talks with the district administration to work on an alternative diversion plan for uninterrupted travel experience. Besides, it is working with the local authorities and administration, both in the hilly areas as well as plains, to mobilise machinery and manpower to the flood- and landslide-prone locations.

«To ensure availability of resources for effective disaster preparedness, NHAI has initiated shifting of required equipment from less flooding locations to flood-prone areas,» the official said. To avoid waterlogging on national highways, NHAI along with the irrigation department is also undertaking joint inspections.