In what could give some respite to Maharashtra battling drought, the Meteorological Department has said the state is likely to receive 27 per cent more rainfall than the annual average, this monsoon.

Met department regional deputy director Krishnanand Hosalikar gave the information at a high-level Disaster Management Prepardness meeting here at Thane district headquarters on Wednesday.

The official also apprised that the Konkan region is likely to get about 27.50 per cent more than the annual average rainfall this rainy season, a press release issued by district Informational Department said.

Heavy rainfall is anticipated in months of July and August across the state, the release said.

Thane collector Mahendra Kalyankar at the meeting directed all civic bodies of his district to plan well in advance before monsoon commences and set in place mechanism to meet any contingency 24X7 as well as monitoring system.

The official directed civic bodies to complete survey of dilapidated and dangerous buildings, which become prone to damage or collapse during monsoon, on a priority basis before June 25.

It was also directed to officials concerned that they should ensure nullahs alongside railway tracks are cleaned up before the onset of monsoon to shun water logging, the release said.

Kalyankar also directed officials to take assistance and involved NSS and NCC students in the disaster management programmes this year.