New Delhi, June 2: Following the completion of the national election cycle and a 45-hour meditation retreat at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to official duties on Sunday.
Earlier today, he chaired a crucial meeting at his residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, to review the ongoing heatwave situation and the nation’s preparedness for the upcoming monsoon season.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the current weather conditions and the impact of cyclone ‘Remal’.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts indicate that the heat wave will persist in parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
This year, the monsoon is expected to be normal to above normal in most regions of the country, with below-normal rainfall anticipated in parts of Peninsular India.
The Prime Minister emphasised the need for regular fire prevention and management drills.
He directed that fire and electrical safety audits be conducted frequently in hospitals and public places.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of maintaining fire lines in forests and efficiently utilising biomass.
The usefulness of the ‘Van Agni’ portal for the timely identification and management of forest fires was highlighted during the meeting.
The portal has proven to be a valuable tool in mitigating the impact of forest fires.
Senior officials, including the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Cabinet Secretary, the Home Secretary, the Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Director General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), were present at the meeting.
The impact of Cyclone Remal on the affected states was also reviewed.
The PM was briefed on the human casualties and the damage to houses and properties caused by landslides and floods in Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
NDRF teams have been deployed to these areas for evacuation, airlifting, and road clearance operations. The Ministry of Home Affairs is maintaining regular contact with the state governments to coordinate relief efforts.
The PM assured that the government will continue to provide full support to the cyclone-affected states.
He instructed the Ministry of Home Affairs to continuously monitor the situation and review it regularly to ensure all necessary assistance for restoration is provided.