223 Calling Attention to [RAJYA SABHA] a matter of Urgent 224 Public Importance [Shri Dipen Ghosh] In Assam the Brahmaputra and its lem through their own men and thereby tributaries and river Katakhal in the Barak destabilise the States to pave the way for the basin have been experiencing third wave imposition of President's rule. This is one of of flood since the last week of May. The those incidents which had taken place in Cooch- Kopili river at Dharamtul and the Katakhal Bihar. Madam, I want to forewarn the Centre as river at Mathizuri have crossei the highest well as the members of the ruling party at the flood levels recorded earlier. In north Centre that they are playing with fire. If they Bihar, the Kama'.a Balan river and want to create any problem in Bengal, they can Adhwara Group of rivers have experienced create. But the Bengali people have given their medium floods during the second week of verdict—not once but thrice, not onli in state July. The Kosi river which crossed the Assembly election's during the last three elec- danger levels in the second week of July is tions but also in the Panchayat elections, reportedly continuing to rise. In Uttar municipal elections, college bodies. University Pradesh, the Ranti and the Ghagra crossed bodies' elections and also in parliamentary the danger level by the third week of July. elections,. (Interruptions) The Left front is here The Yamuna has also started flowing because they are following a policy for the above danger level. The Ghagra is- still in welfare of the people. (Interruptions) spate. It is reported that 15 districts in Assam 10 distri-ts in Bihar and 20 THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: The Minister districets in Uttar Prodesh have been for Parliamentary Affairs will take it up with affected by floods. the Home Minister. On account of very heavy rains in Sauraslura, Kutch and South Gujarat, floods have occurred in the middle of July. The arid CALLING ATTENTION TO A MATTER OF region of Kutch which was experiencing URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— - drought for the last four years, received Devastating Floods in Different Parts of the around 40 cm of rains against average annual Country and the Steps taken by Government in rainfall of 25 cm. As a result a number of this Regard tanks and medium irrigation dams started over-flowing. In its wake, Mithi medium SHRl CHITTA BASU (West Bengal); irrigation dam in Kutrh breached. Heavy Madam, Deputy Chairman, I beg to call the rains caused flash floods in the Patiala Nadi attention of the Minister of Water Resources to and inundated areas in Patiala District. the devastating floods in different parts of the Floods also caused breaches in Dhussi Bund country and the steps taken by Government in along the Ravi river inundating areas in this regard. Amritsar and Gurdaspur Districts. Nearly, 15 districts in Gujarat and 11 districts in Punjab THE MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE are reported to have been affecte-l due to AND THE MINISTER OF WATER floods. Localised heavy rainfall in mid July, RESOURCES (SHRI B. has caused heavy drainage congestion in SHANKARANAND); Madam_ .... Jammu town resulting in serious damages to As the House is aware, floods of medium to houses and catties and distrupted road high intensity have caused damage affecting communications. considerable sections of our people in the States of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, J & K, Teesta in West Bengal, Godavari in Gujarat and Punjab this year. Andhra Pradesh and Yamuna in Delhi have crossed danger levels in July leading to medium flood situation. It is reported that 11 districts in 225 Calling Attention to [5 AUG. 1988 ] a matter of Urgent 226 Public Importance Andhra Pradesh and 10 districts in West useful in forewarning people to take Bengal have been affected. necessary steps to avoid loss of life and property. We have been in constant touch with the State Governments. According to the information Flood protection measures are the primary from the' States, breaches of embankments and responsibility of the State Governments and submergence of areas have taken place. It is UT Administrations. However, the Central reported that an area of about 16 lakh ha. and a Government provides overall guidance and- population of nearly 8.4 millions has been technical assistance as also relief as-to them. affected. The total value of damage has been The Ganga Flood Contro! Co'-nmission and placed at about Rs. 41 crores though full details the Brahmaputra Board have been set up to of the damages are still being assessed by the render assistance to chronically flood affected concerned State Governments. The reports areas. The main functions of these two agencies is ,to develop master plans after indicate that 401 person? have lost their lives and about 8300 heads of cattle have perished. detailed basin and hydrologieal studies in cooperation with the State Governments Chief Minister of States and the concerned. Major projects in the flood man- Administrators of the Union terri-' torieg -were agement sector are also technically appraised addressed well in advance to take by these agencies. Till March 1988, Rs. 39.55 precautionary measures and prepare crores have been released to the Brahmaputra contingency plans to meet the flood situation Board. during the monsoon season. My predecessor, along with Secretary (Water Resources) and The Centre has been extending Central loan other senior officers, visited Assam on 19th- assistance to Assam towards the expenditure 20th June, during the first wavs of floods, and on the works component of flood protection held detailed discussions with the Governor and anti-erosion schemes. During the period and the Chief Minister, Assam. The Secretary 1974-75 to 1987-88, Central loan assistance (Water Resources) held separate meetings to of Rs. 161.5 crores has been released to the review flood management measures with the Government of Assam. For the year 1983-89, Chief Secretary and officers of Assam and an outlay of Rs. 21 crores, has been provided other north-eastern States, as also. the States of and Rs. 6 crores have already been released West Bengal, Bihar, U.P. and Orissa. The on 27th July, 1988. Union Minister of State for Agriculture had also visited the flood-affected areas of Assam. The main reason for the continuing damage A conference of Relief Commissioners was . and losses due to flood the increased use and convened on 15th July, 1988 under the occupation of the flood plains. To minimise Chairmanship of the Secretary, Ministry of losses, a Model Flood Plan Zoning Bill had Agriculture to review the preventive and been prepared and circulated to the States for preparatory measures taken by the flood-prdne adoption as far back as in 1975. However, States. except for Manipur no' State has so far enacted the required legislation. The The Central Water Commission has Government of Assam has prepared a draft established a network of 147 flood of the legislation for flood plain zoning forecasting stations on several major inter- which is under the examination of the state Tivers in the country this year and so Government. The need for such legislation in far 1,855 forecasts have toeen issued. They other States/UTs if being emphasised from have been very time to time. 8.65 RS—8 227 Catling Attention to [RAJYA SABHA] a matter of Urgent 228 Public Importance [Shri B. Shankaranand] The National Conferenece SHRI B. SHANKARANAND: Madam, it may be taken up some time on Monday or of the Irrigation and Water Resources Ministers' Tuesday. We have HALF-AN—HOUR held in 1986 (has recommended for such discussion at 5 p.m. legislation. THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE The long-term measures for flood management MINISTRY OF FOOD PROCESSING comprise construction of major reservoirs, watershed INDUSTRIES (SHRI JAGDISH management and river training works. The stiort-term TYTLER): It may be taken up after 5.30 measures like embankments, drainage channels and p.m. anti-erosion works would continue to be taken for providing reasonable protection. The assets thus THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: That would created would, however, require proper maintenance be over by 5.30. by the State Governments. In the wake of the severe floods in 1987, two high SHRI B. SHANKARANAND: There are level committees,, one for the North-Eastem States, 30 speakers who have to speak on it. and the other for the States of U.P., Bihar, West THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: They have Bengal and Orissa have been set .up under the to finish within half an hour. Now, if you Chairmanship of the Secretary, Ministry of Water permit, we can continue with this- and Resources, to study the problems of flood prone finish at 2.30. areas and suggest measures for affording a reasonable degree1 of protection on a long-term basis. The committees are expected to submit the report in about three months' time. Agreement has also been reached . with the H.M.G. Nepal in March, 1988 whereby the rainfall data of the 7 stations located in the upper catch- ments of the rivers flowing from Nepal to India is being received on real time basis and it is being used for flood forecasts and warnings. Steps are also being taken to establish flood forecasting stations at selected sites in Nepal to improve flood forecasting and warning arrangements. 1.00 P.M. THE DEPUTY CHAIRMAN: I would like to know from the House whether you would like to continue with this Calling Attention or would you like to have it after 5.30 p.m. Now, you have to decide what you want to do.