Heavy rains expected, calamities and monsoon dangers discussed

Heavy rains expected, calamities and monsoon dangers discussed

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 18, 2016: Chairing a meeting on tackling natural calamities here on May 17, Tuesday, DK DC  Adoor B Ibrahim has directed all tahsildars to identify flood-prone areas during monsoon and prepare an action plan to reduce the damage, within a week.

He said the tahsildars will be held responsible if they fail to tackle natural calamities. “Essential measures to safe guard vulnerable spots during natural calamities should be ready at the taluk-level in a week,”. 

The DC giving vent to displeasure at the complaints received from people that control rooms at the taluk-level fail to respond, the DC said tahsildar is the chief of the help desk at the taluk level. “The help desk should make details available when asked. The tahsildars should not give wrong information. If they fail to furnish needed information  strict disciplinary action will be initiated against them,”. 

A taluk-level coordination committee should be constituted to tackle any eventualities during natural calamites. In necessary, action plans should be prepared for the shifting of the people and cattle from the flood-affected areas. The list of locally available boats, cranes and the phone number of the concerned should also be prepared, he added.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Kumar said the compensation for loss of life and property during natural calamities should be disbursed within three days.

The DC added electric poles and trees beside the roads that are in a precarious condition should be identified and cleared. Taluk Panchayat executive officers and PDOs should identify the trees beside the roads that may pose danger during monsoon and submit a list to the forest department. The Mescom should ensure that the power supply is not disrupted frequently during monsoons. 

The Mescom official informed at the meeting that Mescom is geared up to face the approaching monsoon. Helplines will be set up at the sub-divisional level. Power supply will be set right within one hour of being informed. 

The mines and geology department officer said the district has 483 open quarry pits. Revenue officials should visit the spot and submit a detailed report on the status of the pits, he added.   The DC directed the tahsildars to erect a fence around such pits as a precautionary measure.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted heavy pre monsoon rains  in the coastal areas, May 19 and 23.

The officials from fire and emergency services placed a demand for additional boats for rescue operation. A list of 75 swimmers have already been submitted to the district administration. Home Guards DGP to control the services of these swimmers during emergencies. 

District health officer Dr M Ramakrishna Rao said 76 dengue cases have been detected in the district. A campaign is being organised to check mosquito breeding, he added.

The DC said that silt in the open drains in MCC limits should be cleared immediately. The low-lying areas, which will face flood, should be identified.  Coast Guard officials said that fishermen should not venture into sea when warnings are given. They should be trained on passing information to the Coast Guard in emergencies. .