Patna, (Bihar Times): Bureaucratic red-tapism has, once
again, come in the way of the installation of the
satellite-based new flood-forecasting model in the
state. The model was to be placed last year. However,
after the expiry of deadline last year the then water
resources development minister, Ramashray Prasad
Singh, assured that it would start functioning from
2008.
This year too the World Bank assisted Flood Management
Information System project is not likely to be placed
before May 31, that is the deadline. Monsoon arrives
in the state in the first week of June. The model has
been developed by Prof A K Gosain of the Indian
Instittue of Technology, New Delhi.
The FMIS will warn of flood between 48 and 72 hours
ahead and will be of much use for the North Bihar
rivers, especially in Bagmati and Kosi basins.
Earlier, the Central Water Commission used to predict
about flood between eight and 24 hours. This extra
time will help evacuate the people from the
flood-prone areas.
