A state-of-the-art Integrated Flood Warning System for Mumbai was jointly inaugurated by Union Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
iFLOWS-Mumbai will help the city to become more resilient as the authorities will have an estimate of flood inundation at ward level, atleast three days in advance. It will be especially useful for low-lying areas, from where people need to be evacuated.
The system will also forecast the rainfall in each pocket. This system has been developed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, using in-house expertise and in close coordination with the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.
In his special address through video-conferencing, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that the iFLOWS system was “one of the most advanced” warning systems, that will enable Mumbaikars to take precautions and be better prepared. Congratulating the scientists at the Ministry of Earth Sciences, who have developed the flood warning system, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that a similar system, also developed by his department, was already in operation in Chennai.
He further said that India has developed the best early warning system for tsunami, the one that has never given a false alarm. He said the service has been extended to countries in Indian Ocean Region who are being highly benefited.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thackeray said the system will be a gift to the people of Mumbai. He said the early prediction of cyclone Nisarga by IMD helped the state government in saving lives. Thackeray also called for the need to have four Doppler radars in the city.
Mumbai’s Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Earth Sciences for launching the system well before the onset of monsoon in Mumbai.
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