Floods in the North-East: Lack of Planning and Red Tape

Although India has 175 flood forecasting stations and 140 more new flood forecasting stations are in the pipeline in the Twelfth Plan, we do not seem to have improved our performance on the ground in terms of saving lives and property. The most recent flood in Assam claimed 44 lives and massive loss of property and livelihood. A more proactive citizenry too is required to monitor the government's anti-flood strategy. It was also telling that the national media gave scant space and air time to this tragedy in the North-East, which is forever on the periphery.