**Executive Summary**
The Central Water Commission (CWC), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, organized a one-day stakeholders' workshop in New Delhi on February 9, 2026. The workshop focused on Flood Forecasting Services and Guidelines for Preparation, Submission, and Appraisal of Flood Management Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). The aim was to highlight impact-based forecasting, decision-support systems, and improved appraisal of flood management DPRs.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Workshop Overview:**
* The workshop was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
* It emphasized strengthening Centre-State coordination in flood forecasting, preparedness, and flood management planning due to increasing climate variability.
* There was participation from 27 States/UTs and 15 Central agencies, including CWC, involving technical and decision-making officers.
* **Technical Sessions:**
* CWC delivered 5 presentations covering the evolution of flood forecasting services in India, highlighting short-range and seven-day advisory flood forecasts.
* Presentations included new services like inundation forecasting, integrated reservoir operation support, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) studies, and the use of AI/ML in flood forecasting.
* States such as Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana shared their experiences in flood forecasting and operational coordination with CWC.
* Focus on shifting towards impact-based forecasting and decision-support systems by integrating systems of CWC with State Govt, preferably through automated real-time data sharing.
* The need for technical workshop/brainstorming sessions was highlighted to improve modeling practices and flood forecasting.
* **DPR Guidelines:**
* The afternoon session focused on the preparation, submission, and appraisal of DPRs for flood management and anti-erosion works.
* Discussions emphasized basin-level planning, hydrological analysis, and early engagement with CWC to improve project quality.
* CWC made presentations on DPR preparation and online submission via the e-PAMS portal.
* Timelines for appraisal processes, observations by appraising offices, and responses by project authorities were covered.
* Procedures for seeking central assistance under centrally sponsored schemes like FMBAP and the timely release of Central Assistance installments were explained.
* **Conclusion:**
* The workshop concluded with a session chaired by the Member (D&R), CWC, summarizing key takeaways.
* Closer Centre-State collaboration, effective use of forecasting services, and improved quality of flood management proposals were emphasized for strengthening flood resilience.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: States and Union Territories**
* **Impact**: Increased collaboration with the Central Water Commission (CWC) for improved flood forecasting, preparedness, and management. They need to adhere to the specified guidelines, manuals and BIS codes during DPR preparation to avoid common deficiencies.
* **Action Required**: Improve practices in basin-level planning and hydrological analysis. Engage early with the CWC for better project quality and timely implementation. Submit DPRs through the e-PAMS portal and respond to observations made during the appraisal process.
**Stakeholder: Central Agencies (including CWC)**
* **Impact**: Enhancing decision-support systems through improved flood forecasting services and improved appraisal of flood management DPRs, along with better data sharing.
* **Action Required**: To continue to provide support to states, especially with impact-based forecasting, and develop technical workshops for knowledge transfer.
**Stakeholder: Citizens**
* **Impact**: Improved flood preparedness, more effective flood management interventions, better-informed decision-making, greater climate resilience.
* **Action Required**: None mentioned.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Water Commission (CWC): Primary organizer of the workshop and key agency involved in flood forecasting and management in India.
Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation: The Ministry under which CWC operates; responsible for water resources management and river rejuvenation.
Flood Management Detailed Project Reports (DPRs): The subject of the workshop, focusing on guidelines for preparation, submission, and appraisal of DPRs.
New Delhi: Location of the stakeholders workshop on flood forecasting and flood management DPRs.
India: The geographical scope of the flood forecasting services discussed.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
Central Water Commission Organises One-Day
Stakeholders’ Workshop on Flood Forecasting
and Flood Management DPRs in New Delhi
Highlights impact-based forecasting, decision-support
systems and improved appraisal of flood management DPRs
Posted On: 09 FEB 2026 7:20PM by PIB Delhi
The Central Water Commission (CWC), under Department of Water resources, River Development &
Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, Govt of India organised a One-Day Stakeholders’
Workshop on Flood Forecasting Services and Guidelines for Preparation, Submission and Appraisal
of Flood Management Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) today at the CWC Auditorium, Library
Building, R K Puram, New Delhi.
The workshop was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Water Resources, River Development
& Ganga Rejuvenation, Sh. V L Kantha Rao along with Chairman, CWC Sh. Anupam Prasad, Members
of CWC Sh. Yogesh Paithankar(WP&P) , Principal Secretary, WRD Bihar Sh. Santosh Kumar Mall,
Regional Commissioner, Karnataka Smt. Janaki K M in the presence of participants from States, Central
agencies and CWC regional offices as well as HQ. In his inaugural address, the Secretary, DoWR, RD &
GR emphasised the importance of strengthening Centre–State coordination in flood forecasting,
preparedness and flood management planning in the context of increasing climate variability and extreme
events.The workshop witnessed participation from 27 States/UTs and 15 Central agencies including CWC.
Total of about 173 officers from States(69), Central Agencies(34) and CWC(70) covering technical &
decision makers from State Water Resources Departments as well as State Disaster Management
Authorities, Central Agencies like India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Disaster
Management Authority(NDMA), Centre for Development of Advance Computing (CDAC), National Dam
Safety Authority(NDSA), Disaster Management Div of Ministry of Home Affairs(DM Div-MHA),
Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD & GR),
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Bhakhra & Beas Management Board (BBMB), Damodar
Valley Corporation (DVC), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Brahmaputra Board(BB), Ganga
Flood Control Commission(GFCC), Centre for Development of Telematics (CDOT), National Water
Informatics Centre (NWIC) involved in Disaster Management, Flood Forecasting & Flood Management
Scheme appraisal, monitoring and release of fund participated the deliberations during workshop.
During the technical sessions, CWC made 5 presentations covering an overview of the evolution of flood
forecasting services in India highlighting short-range and seven-day advisory flood forecasts, new
services like inundation forecasting & integrated reservoir operation support, Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
(GLOF) studies & periodic Glacial Lake Monitoring including its analysis and initiatives related to use of
AI/ML in Flood Forecasting, 4 week flood guidance, flash flood forecasting,
Representatives from some States like Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
shared their experiences in brief covering initiatives in flood forecasting and operational coordination with
CWC, providing valuable insights into field-level challenges and best practices.
Finally, summary of Flood Forecasting initiatives in States developed on their own or use of CWC
services with their request for better synergy was presented by CWC. The sessions underlined the shift
towards impact-based forecasting and decision-support systems by integrating systems of CWC with
State Govt preferably through automation of real-time data sharing to enhance preparedness and response.
It also highlighted the need for series of technical workshop/brainstorming sessions for knowledge transfer
for improvement of modelling practices/products and flood forecasting practices.
The afternoon session focused on the Guidelines for preparation, submission and appraisal of DPRs
for flood management and anti-erosion works. The discussions highlighted the importance of basin-level
planning, sound hydrological analysis, and early engagement with CWC to improve project quality and
ensure timely appraisal and implementation.
CWC made 2 presentations. The first presentation was on preparation of DPR by concerned States Govt
following specified guidelines, Manuals & BIS codes highlighting common deficiencies in DPRs
requiring special attention. The second presentation was on online submission of DPR through dedicated
e-PAMS portal for appraisal in CWC/GFCC. The timelines for various stages in appraisal process
covering observations by appraising office for improvement and response to observations by project
authority was also covered. The contents of note for Advisory Committee seeking techno economic
clearance and further procedures for seeking central assistance under Centrally Sponsored scheme like
FMBAP was also explained. Getting timely release of Central Assistance instalments during
implementation of projects following specified guidelines were also shared for clarity on procedures
involved from planning to completion of project. The presentations were followed by Q&A session for
clarifying the unanswered queries and inviting suggestions from States.
The workshop concluded with a session chaired by the Member (D&R), CWC, during which key
takeaways from the discussions were summarised. To conclude, it was reiterated that closer collaboration
between the Centre and States, effective utilisation of forecasting services, and improved quality of flood
management proposals are essential for strengthening flood resilience in the country.The workshop is expected to contribute to improved flood preparedness, better-informed decision-making,
and enhanced effectiveness of flood management interventions, in line with the Government’s emphasis
on disaster resilience and climate-responsive water resources management.
***
ND
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