Patna, June 22: Chief minister Nitish Kumar today directed the government departments to prepare for flood and drought at the same time this monsoon.

He has asked the officials to complete their preparations within 15 days.

The directions came at a high-level closed-door review meeting on flood preparedness, chaired by Nitish, which was attended by chief secretary Anjani Kumar Singh among others.

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted 94 per cent rainfall for the state, which could vary by up to eight per cent either way, and could lead to either heavy or less rains depending on the way it swings. "Seeing the IMD forecast and presentation by its officials at the review meeting, the chief minister has directed all department and district magistrates to prepare for the eventuality of flood and drought together, as per the standard operating procedure prepared by the disaster management department," disaster management principal secretary Vyasji said.

He added that all the departments and district magistrates had been asked to complete their disaster preparations within 15 days, after which another review will be called by Nitish. Vyasji said the IMD officials at the meeting had predicted less than normal rains for Nepal this year, but they also added that only 80 per cent of their forecast have been up to the mark, historically.

"If the IMD forecast for the neighbouring country comes true, there will be less water flow in the Kosi, Adhwara group (of rivers), and other rivers which flow into Bihar from Nepal. However, if Bihar receives good rainfall, danger of floods could be still there. Heavy siltation of rivers here increases the chances of floods," he added.

Nitish spoke to all district magistrates via videoconference. He sought information about steps taken by the water resources department to protect 3,746km embankments along various rivers, on which the senior officials told him that one homeguard would be deployed on every kilometre of embankment to ensure their safety and security.

The water resources department has also put all its engineers on high alert. The junior engineers will inspect embankments four times a day during the rainy season.