Gandhinagar: Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel convened a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar on Thursday to assess the state's overall readiness for the potential impact of El Nino. The meeting was attended by ministers and officials from the departments of agriculture, irrigation, water supply, Narmada, forest, and revenue.
Government Coordination for El Nino
Government spokesperson and minister Jitu Vaghani stated that in accordance with the meteorological department's forecast regarding a possible El Nino scenario, all state government departments are collaborating with advanced planning to protect the welfare of farmers and livestock. The spokesperson noted that the water storage levels in the Narmada dam and other reservoirs were reviewed during the meeting.
Water Supply Expansion
He added that the water resources and water supply department has been instructed to ensure no shortage of drinking water in the state by coordinating operations with the Narmada network. Previously, only lakes located within a 3-kilometer radius of the Narmada canal and pipeline project were being filled. Moving forward, lakes within a 7-kilometer radius of the pipeline will also receive Narmada water.
Key Departments Involved
The meeting included representatives from multiple departments to ensure a comprehensive approach. The agriculture department will focus on crop protection, while the irrigation and water supply departments will manage water distribution. The forest department will monitor ecological impacts, and the revenue department will handle any relief measures required.
Officials emphasized that the government is taking proactive steps to mitigate any adverse effects of El Nino, which is expected to bring below-normal rainfall in some regions. The state aims to safeguard agricultural productivity and ensure adequate water availability for both drinking and irrigation purposes.
