Description

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Context

Twelve locations in the states of Assam, Bihar, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh were marked as being in "above-normal" flood scenarios, meaning that the water levels are higher than the alert threshold but still lower than the danger levels.

What is Central Water Commission (CWC)?

With its headquarters in New Delhi, it is the leading water resources technical organization in India. At the moment, it's serving as an associated office of the Indian government's Ministry of Jal Shakti, Water Resources, River Development, and Ganga Rejuvenation Department. New Delhi is the headquarters.

Functions of CWC

The Commission is charged with the general responsibility of initiating, coordinating, and furthering schemes for the control, conservation, and utilization of water resources throughout the country for flood control, irrigation, navigation, drinking water supply, and water power development in consultation with the state governments.
It also conducts investigations, designs, and executes any such schemes as needed.

Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing

Each arm is led by a full-time member who serves as the Government of India's Ex-Officio Additional Secretary.
Each wing, which consists of several organizations, is in charge of completing tasks and duties that fall within the scope of the roles allocated to them.
The National Water Academy, based in Pune, is in charge of teaching central and state in-service engineers, and it reports directly to the Chairman.

Source: The Hindu

Practice Question:

Q. With reference to the Central Water Commission (CWC), consider the following statements:

It functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
It is responsible for coordinating river basin development and flood control in India.
It is a statutory body established under the River Boards Act, 1956.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Answer:

A) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

Statement 1: Correct – The CWC operates under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, specifically under the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation.
Statement 2: Correct – It plays a key role in technical coordination of water resource development, river basin planning, and flood management.
Statement 3: Incorrect – The CWC is not a statutory body; it was constituted in 1945 and functions as a technical organization, but it was not established under the River Boards Act.