Real Time Data for Flood Forecast The frequent extreme weather events and erratic monsoon pattern observed in the recent past have affected huge population in concerned areas. The Central Water Commission under this Ministry maintains a network of 878 stations for collection of flood information and issues flood forecasts to 176 stations located on major rivers and their tributaries in the country. In December, 2015, the Ministry has approved the scheme of Flood Forecasting" at a cost of Rs. 281 crore for implementation in XII Plan. The scheme envisages modernisation of its existing network and provision of an additional 100 flood forecasting stations for real-time flood forecasting. Besides, the Ministry has taken up National Hydrology Project (NHP) and setting up of National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) at New Delhi. The NHP envisages setting up of a system for timely and reliable water resources data acquisition, storage, collation and management. It will help in gathering hydro-metrological data for analysis on a real time basis. The National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) shall provide a Single Window source of updated data on water resources & allied themes including real time data as per availability; and provide value added products and services to all stake holders for its management and sustainable development for the benefit of all communities across the nation. This information was given by Union Minister of State for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation Prof. Sanwar Lal Jat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today. Samir/jk
