India is to set up a task force to combat devastating floods like those that swept across Assam earlier this month leaving scores dead.
The new group will be the responsibility of India’s Union Water Resources Ministry and will suggest short and long term measures and potential sources of funding for flood management in the region.
Manmohan Singh, India’s prime minister this week instructed the Ministry to have the task force in place by 31 July. It is also to devise an action plan for work on the Lower Subansiri hydro project and the Pagladiya dam by the same date.
Singh has also ordered releases of water from Alamatti dam beginning tomorrow to alleviate the conditions of drought faced by farmers in Andhra Pradesh.