Minister reviews flood control measures

LUCKNOW: Jal Shakti minister Mahendra Singh on Tuesday said despite heavy rainfall in the Terai region in August, the embankments of the major rivers in the state remained safe and no human loss was reported.

The minister claimed that houses and agriculture land also did not erode because of steps taken by the government.

Singh reviewed the flood control programme in 14 districts through video conferencing.

He said the flood control measures were implemented in all the flood-prone districts in March amid Covid pandemic on the direction of chief minister Yogi Adityanath.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also appreciated the initiative of Uttar Pradesh in controlling flood, he said.

Singh directed the irrigation department officers and engineers to remain on alert, to maintain vigil on the embankments and to continue the flood control measures for some extra months.

He also asked them to collect feedback from villagers, farmers and public representatives on flood control and organise mass awareness programme across districts. Before infected with coronavirus in August, Singh had visited all the flood-prone districts to review the flood control programme. The flood control projects were completed on schedule, while large areas in several states were flooded, UP remained free from the misery of flood, Singh said.

He said the monsoon might return in September and October and the officers should remain alert.