CM Nitish Kumar

PATNA: The Nitish Kumar-government will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for real-time monitoring of natural calamities such as floods, drought-like situations and earthquakes.

This was revealed at a meeting convened by the CM on Saturday to review his government’s preparedness for possible flood and drought situations in the state and took feedback from the DMs concerned through video-conferencing and asked officials to take all steps to minimize impact. “Flood or drought, we should remain alert and be prepared to face either of the two situations,” Nitish said.

Disaster management department’s principal secretary Pratyay Amrit informed the CM during the meeting that the state had completed all formalities and the MoU will be signed soon.

“ISRO will assist the state government in real-time assessment of intensity of natural disasters by providing data and pictures through its satellite system. It will also help in assessment of damages caused by the natural disasters,” Amrit informed the CM and other ministers, including deputy CM Sushil Modi, present at the meeting.

Nitish said the average rainfall in Bihar has been below 1,000 mm for the last 13 years. “Last year, many parts of the state witnessed drought-like situation. This year, too, a drought-like scenario is looming large over the state,” he said, asking officials of various departments to be alert.

He said the state government has prepared a series of schemes to provide alternative jobs to the farm workers who would be rendered jobless in case of drought.

CM also asked agriculture department officials to prepare a plan for alternative crops in case of a drought.

