Evacuate people from areas prone to floods and landslides, Deputy Commissioner tells DK district officials

Evacuate people from areas prone to floods and landslides, Deputy Commissioner tells DK district officials

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 22, 2025: When a red alert is issued, officials should take steps to evacuate people from areas identified to be at risk of landslides, landslips, and flooding, said Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer and Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner K. Anand.

Chairing the District Disaster Management Authority meeting on Wednesday here, the first meeting at the newly opened District Offices’ complex ‘Praja Soudha’, Dr. Anand directed officials to respond quickly to natural calamities. Asking officials to ensure that no lives are lost, he said no lapses in disaster management will be tolerated.

Officials should regularly visit those places that witnessed flooding last year and take steps to ensure the free flow of runoff water. The Mescom and Forest Department should ensure there is no loss of life from uprooted trees and electricity lines. The ward-level disaster management committees should be reactivated. The control room should be functional 24X7. Village accountants, PDO, and Chief Officers of urban local bodies should be in the headquarters, he said.  

Asking officials to remove debris accumulated in the drains by the sides of national highways, Dr. Anand directed teachers and Anganwadi staff not to hold any classes in structures that are in dilapidated condition.

When Dr. Anand referred to residents’ complaints about runoff water from Mangaluru Airport’s runway, airport officials said rainwater does not accumulate on the runway. The NIT-K is conducting a technical study of the problem.  

He directed officials to ensure that piped drinking water samples are tested once every 15 days, saying care should be taken to ensure that the water does not get contaminated. He asked Health Department personnel to carry out awareness drives about drinking water, which is boiled and cooled. He cautioned tourists against entering the sea and waterfalls during the monsoon.

Dr. Anand said fishermen should ensure that their labourers do not sleep in boats anchored on the river backwaters. Mines and Geology personnel should take steps to prevent children from swimming in the water accumulated in abandoned quarries. Officials from Minor Irrigation should take steps to remove silt accumulated in dams and vented dams coming under their purview.