Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a high-level meeting on Monday to assess readiness for the upcoming summer heat, instructing officials to monitor fodder and water availability in reservoirs. He also urged officials to educate children on coping with extreme heat and to issue easily understandable daily weather forecasts.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s residence at 7 LKM, was attended by key officials including the Principal Secretary to the PM, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Secretary of Health and Family Welfare, Secretary of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Secretary of Earth Sciences, and Member Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Modi was briefed on the India Meteorological Department’s weather forecast for the next few months and the expected impact on Rabi crops. Efforts to monitor water supply, fodder, and drinking water were also discussed.

The statement further highlighted the Prime Minister’s focus on creating awareness materials for various stakeholders, including citizens, medical professionals, and disaster response teams. It was emphasized that multimedia tools should be used to educate children on dealing with extreme heat, and protocols for hot weather should be easily accessible to the public.

Modi also emphasized the importance of regular weather forecasts that can be easily understood by the public, suggesting that media outlets dedicate time to explaining daily forecasts. He stressed the need for fire audits in hospitals and coordinated efforts to address forest fires.

Additionally, the Prime Minister directed the tracking of fodder and water availability, and instructed the Food Corporation of India to prepare for optimal grain storage in extreme weather conditions.