Thursday, May 26 2005 20:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Considering possible variations at regional and local level in the otherwise "normal" monsoon, as predicted by the weather office, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (May 26, 2005) asked the States to be fully prepared to tackle the consequences of both floods and drought.

All the States and Union Territories should keep in mind the extreme possibilities of floods and drought during monsoon and take adequate measures in advance, he said in a letter addressed to all the Chief Ministers.

"We are hopeful that no such calamity may visit us. Nevertheless, it would be prudent and desirable that you (Chief Ministers) may review the situation in your State keeping in view your previous experience and gear up the State machinery at all levels," Singh said in his letter, according to the PM's Media Advisor Sanjaya Baru.