New Delhi, 09 February 2026 — The Central Water Commission (CWC), under the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, organised a one-day Stakeholders’ Workshop on Flood Forecasting Services and Guidelines for Preparation, Submission and Appraisal of Flood Management Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) at the CWC Auditorium, R.K. Puram, New Delhi. The workshop focused on advancing impact-based forecasting, decision-support systems, and improving the quality and appraisal process of flood management DPRs amid rising climate variability and extreme events.
High-Level Inauguration and Call for Centre–State Coordination
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri V. L. Kantha Rao, Secretary, DoWR, RD & GR, along with Shri Anupam Prasad, Chairman, CWC, and Members of CWC, including Shri Yogesh Paithankar (WP&P). Senior state officials such as Shri Santosh Kumar Mall, Principal Secretary, WRD Bihar, and Smt. Janaki K. M., Regional Commissioner, Karnataka, were also present.
In his inaugural address, the Secretary underscored the need to strengthen Centre–State coordination in flood forecasting, preparedness, and flood management planning, particularly in the context of increasing climate variability and extreme weather events.
Broad Participation from States and Central Agencies
The workshop saw participation from 27 States/UTs and 15 Central agencies, with about 173 officers in attendance—69 from States, 34 from Central agencies, and 70 from CWC. Participants included technical experts and decision-makers from State Water Resources Departments, State Disaster Management Authorities, and key Central organisations such as IMD, NDMA, CDAC, NDSA, NDRF, NRSC, NWIC, BBMB, DVC, Brahmaputra Board, GFCC, C-DOT, and others involved in disaster management, flood forecasting, and project appraisal.
Technical Sessions: From Short-Range Forecasts to AI/ML
CWC delivered five technical presentations outlining the evolution of flood forecasting services in India, covering:
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Short-range and seven-day advisory flood forecasts
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Inundation forecasting and integrated reservoir operation support
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Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) studies and periodic glacial lake monitoring
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Initiatives on AI/ML-based flood forecasting, four-week flood guidance, and flash flood forecasting
State representatives from Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana shared field experiences, highlighting operational coordination with CWC, challenges, and best practices.
Discussions emphasized a shift toward impact-based forecasting and decision-support systems, with a strong call for automated, real-time data sharing between CWC and States to enhance preparedness and response. Participants also recommended a series of technical workshops and brainstorming sessions to improve modelling practices and forecasting products.
DPR Appraisal: Improving Quality and Timelines
The afternoon session focused on Guidelines for preparation, submission, and appraisal of DPRs for flood management and anti-erosion works. The importance of basin-level planning, robust hydrological analysis, and early engagement with CWC was highlighted to improve project quality and ensure timely appraisal and implementation.
CWC made two presentations:
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Preparation of DPRs by State Governments in line with prescribed guidelines, manuals, and BIS codes—highlighting common deficiencies that require special attention.
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Online submission of DPRs through the dedicated e-PAMS portal for appraisal in CWC/GFCC, detailing timelines at each stage, response mechanisms to appraisal observations, and procedures for seeking techno-economic clearance and central assistance under schemes like FMBAP.
The session also clarified procedures for timely release of central assistance instalments during project implementation, followed by a Q&A to address pending queries and gather suggestions from States.
Key Takeaways and the Road Ahead
The workshop concluded with a session chaired by Member (D&R), CWC, summarising key takeaways. Participants reiterated that closer Centre–State collaboration, effective utilisation of forecasting services, and higher-quality flood management proposals are essential to strengthen India’s flood resilience.
Conclusion
By bringing together policymakers, technical experts, and implementing agencies, the CWC’s national workshop marked a decisive step toward modernising flood forecasting, mainstreaming impact-based decision support, and streamlining DPR appraisal. The outcomes are expected to translate into better preparedness, faster and higher-quality project approvals, and more resilient flood management systems across the country.
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Source: PIB
