MeT sent timely warning,govt says it wasnt specific

From June 14,we started giving the heavy rainfall warning. For June 15,we issued a warning for very heavy rain and we also suggested that the pilgrimage be postponed for 4-5 days. On June 16,we predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall and specifically highlighted the regions, he said.

State disaster management minister Yashpal Arya admitted that the Met had issued these warnings but said there was little the government could do because of the extent of the natural calamity. We had prior information. But there was no visible indication of crisis of this magnitude, Arya said. Lakhs of people were in different places. What could have my department done? We did our best and we will keep doing it.

Sharma,however,said their warnings cant be so specific as it is difficult to anticipate how the situation will unfold in such circumstances. Our warnings cannot be so specific. Heavy to very heavy rains coupled with landslides at places is not enough to suggest that there is going to be crisis of this magnitude, he said.