"We have to be prepared and it will be always better to be ready to tackle the situation. The district magistrates should ensure that the relief and rescue preparations are put into top gear," Kumar said while talking to district magistrates through video-conferencing.

Expressing unhappiness over non-payment to owners of boats hired by the State Government during floods last year, Kumar on Saturday asked the district magistrates of the 22 flood prone districts to ensure the payment was done within a week.

During monsoon, he said, the hired boats should have red flags with the words 'District Administration: Free Service' written on them so that the marooned people are not made to pay for the service.

Anti-erosion work must be completed too, he said.

Among other issues, Kumar reviewed embankment inspection reports, identified troubled spots and safe sites for ferrying flood-hit people, discussed about arrangements for storage of foodgrains, polythene sheets, availability of potable water and medicines for people as well as livestock.

He said the State Government had already written to the Centre and Food Corporation of India for storage of foodgrains at safe places close to flood-prone areas.

The Chief Minister said efforts were being made to find a lasting solution to the recurring flood problem, including proposals like intra-state linking of rivers and construction of high dams in Nepal.