Mumbai (Maharashtra):After Chennai, Mumbai on Friday got India's second state-of-the-art Integrated Flood Warning System (IFWS) which will make it possible to predict floods at least three days in advance, enabling more lives to be saved.
It was jointly inaugurated by Union Earth Sciences Minister Harsh Vardhan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in the presence of top officials from both sides via video-conferencing.
Vardhan said that with this, the scientists of MoES - who developed the IFWS - have proved that we are not less than anyone in the world in science.
"Mumbai floods, especially in 2005 and 2017, are etched in everyone's memory. This highly advanced IFWS will help the people of the city in a big way," Vardhan said.
Terming it as a 'gift to the people of Mumbai,' Thackeray said "The IFWS is a blessing for Mumbai in a situation where monsoon has become more difficult to predict. In the IMD had not given early warning of Nisarga Cyclone, the effect would have been disastrous. It is necessary to do flood management as Mumbai has some areas which are lower than the sea-level, making it difficult for water to drain out."
The IFWS will help Mumbai become more resilient by providing early - at least 72 hours before, along with 3-6 hours Nowcast or immediate weather updates - flood warnings, especially during high rain and cyclones.