The Union Cabinet Secretary, Shri Rajiv Gauba, chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review preparedness to deal with heat waves and forest fires.
Presentations and Information
- Presentations by NDMA and MoEFCC: Detailed presentations were made by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on the current situation regarding heat waves and forest fires, respectively. These presentations included steps being taken nationwide to address these challenges.
- IMD Information: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that between April and June 2024, 10-22 days of above-normal heat waves were observed in various parts of the country. The forecast for June indicated a likelihood of above-normal heat wave days over Northwest India and neighboring areas.
- Preparatory Meetings and Advisories: NDMA informed that preparatory meetings have been ongoing since October 2023, involving Central Ministries, State Governments, and other stakeholders. Advisories have been issued to states to activate control rooms, enforce standard operating procedures (SoPs) for heat waves, ensure drinking water availability, and enhance preparedness of health facilities.
Cabinet Secretary’s Emphasis
- Review and Monitoring: The Cabinet Secretary urged Chief Secretaries to regularly review and monitor short-term, medium-term, and long-term measures to enhance preparedness for heat waves. He stressed the importance of maintaining and augmenting water supply sources and ensuring regular fire safety audits.
- Forest Fire Management: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change outlined its action plan and preparedness for forest fire management. They highlighted the use of a Forest Fire Alert System portal named VAN AGNI to disseminate alerts and assist states and agencies.
- PM’s Directive: The Cabinet Secretary reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s emphasis on addressing forest fires and implementing a regular system of preparatory measures and drills akin to those for floods.
Recommendations and Engagement
- State Preparedness: The Cabinet Secretary emphasized the need for states and union territories to be better prepared to meet challenges related to heat waves and forest fires, aiming to prevent loss of life and minimize damage.
- Central-State Engagement: Assurance was provided that central ministries/departments are actively engaging with states to ensure optimal preparedness and timely implementation of mitigation and response measures.
Attendees
A wide array of officials attended the meeting, including representatives from various ministries, disaster management authorities, meteorological agencies, and forest services, along with Chief Secretaries and senior officials from several states and union territories.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- Who chaired the meeting to review preparedness for heat waves and forest fires?
- A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- B) Union Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba
- C) National Disaster Management Authority
- D) Indian Meteorological Department
- Answer: B) Union Cabinet Secretary Shri Rajiv Gauba
- Which organization made a presentation on forest fire management during the meeting?
- A) Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- B) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- C) Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
- D) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
- Answer: B) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- What is the name of the Forest Fire Alert System portal developed by Forest Survey of India?
- A) VAN AGNI
- B) VAN ALO
- C) ForestAlert
- D) FireGuard
- Answer: A) VAN AGNI
- Who emphasized the need for a regular system of preparatory measures and drills to address forest fires?
- A) Chief Secretaries
- B) Union Home Secretary
- C) Cabinet Secretary
- D) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Answer: C) Cabinet Secretary