NEW DELHI: Conceding that the first warning of the impending flash floods in Uttarakhand came as late as on the night of June 14, sources in the central disaster management machinery on Wednesday told the media that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has now been told to put in place an early warning system to avert such tragedies in the future.

Sources said vice-chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority M Shashidhar Reddy on Wednesday held a meeting with the IMD director general and chief of the Central Water Commission to review the situation in Uttarakhand and discuss the mitigation measures that must be initiated to avert a repeat of the tragedy.

NDMA underlined the need for IMD to enable an early warning system, possibly through better satellite imagery, to ensure that enough lead time is given for evacuation of the people likely to be affected. This will help local authorities be better prepared to handle such disasters.

According to information with the media, the first warning of the impending deluge on account of torrential rains was given to the state on the night of June 14, though only for benefit of agriculturists. The general warning for the public was generated on June 15, leaving little time for the authorities to alert the local people and tourists/pilgrims.

Incidentally, the rainfall in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh around this time is over 400% more than average. "In this period, Uttarakhand receives 71 mm of rainfall on an average, but it has already received 385 mm. In Himachal, the rainfall so far is 167 mm compared to an average of 40 mm," NDMA member V K Duggal said, adding that early monitoring of rainfall and river flows in the future could help in disaster mitigation.