Bhopal: The state government, instead of relying on traditional methods, is monitoring the flood situation and relief works through a WhatsApp group.
This group has chief secretary Antony de Sa, several principal secretaries, all district collectors and officials of meteorological department as members.
Generally, e-mail, wireless and other such means are used by government departments to exchange information. In order to ensure that flood control and relief measures are swift and fast, all officers are using WhatsApp.
The daily weather forecast and warnings are updated by Meteorological department on this group, which keeps the officers abreast of latest developments related to weather. All district collectors, who are members of this group, have to update information about weather and relief works undergoing in the district. Information related to rescue operation is also updated.
Principal Secretary, revenue, KK Singh said transfer of information was lightening fast this time due to WhatsApp. He said as officers of meteorological department are also connected with this group, latest information on weather is available on it and necessary instructions can be issued immediately. “It has considerably reduced our reaction time”, Singh said.
