Kapu: Officials must respond promptly to rain-related distress, says Minister U.T. Khader

Kapu: Officials must respond promptly to rain-related distress, says Minister U.T. Khader

Mangalore Today News Network

Kapu, Aug. 8, 2026: Health and Family Welfare Minister and Udupi district in-charge Minister U.T. Khader Farid has directed officials to respond immediately to the difficulties faced by people due to natural calamities and incessant rains and ensure that relief is distributed without delay.

Chairing a review meeting on disaster management at the Kapu Taluk Office on Friday, Khader instructed local officials to visit the spot immediately whenever heavy rains cause loss of life, damage to houses or other losses and provide the necessary assistance.

He said families whose household articles, beds, blankets and food items are damaged by floodwaters should be provided an immediate relief of Rs. 5,500. Officials should extend assistance to affected families with humanity and compassion and help them lead a dignified life, he added.

Rice cultivation is the major agricultural activity in Kapu taluk, with transplantation completed across around 2,020 hectares. However, crop damage has been reported due to erratic weather conditions, and re-transplantation will be carried out in the affected areas until August 20. Khader directed agriculture officials to conduct an accurate assessment of crop losses and submit the report to the government at the earliest.

As continuous rains could lead to diseases affecting arecanut and other horticultural crops, the Horticulture Department should ensure that necessary pesticides are made available to farmers, he said. A total of 19,236 farmers in the district have enrolled for horticultural crop insurance this year, an increase of 7,690 from last year. Officials should create greater awareness so that more farmers avail themselves of crop insurance benefits, he added.

The Minister also reviewed the condition of schools in Kapu taluk. Of the 660 classrooms in 200 schools, 91 require repairs. He directed officials to complete the repair works at the earliest and ensure that classes are not conducted in unsafe rooms. Necessary precautions should also be taken to prevent students from going near dilapidated buildings and compound walls on school premises, he said.

Reviewing the distribution of textbooks and uniforms, Khader instructed officials to distribute only quality-tested shoes and socks to students and said substandard materials should not be accepted under any circumstances. The Food Safety Department should regularly inspect the quality of food, eggs and milk supplied to children at anganwadis, he added.

With several roads in the district damaged due to heavy rains, officials of the Panchayat Raj Engineering Department, Public Works Department and National Highways Authority of India were directed to take up repairs on a priority basis and ensure smooth traffic movement.

Heavy rain and strong winds have damaged 163 electricity poles, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 31.71 lakh. Khader directed MESCOM officials to restore power supply immediately. In areas facing staff shortages, contractual linemen should be appointed, while the 24x7 helpline should remain operational to receive public complaints and respond to issues promptly, he said.

He also directed officials of the Forest Department, gram panchayats and urban local bodies to remove dangerous trees immediately and work in coordination to prevent accidents.

“Government officials are the face of the government,” Khader said, stressing that they must work responsibly at the grassroots level to provide people-friendly governance. He also instructed the Kapu Tahsildar to make proper use of the funds available in the PD account.

Kapu MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty said staff shortages in MESCOM were causing power disruptions during the monsoon, with outages in some areas continuing until the following afternoon and causing hardship to the public. He said damage to several roads in the taluk had also affected school bus services and consequently student attendance, and urged the authorities to take up road repairs on an urgent basis.

Coastal Development Board Chairman M.A. Gafoor, District Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee Chairman Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Deputy Commissioner Swaroop T.K., Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Prateek Bayal, Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar, KPCC Publicity Committee Chairman Vinay Kumar Sorake and district- and taluk-level officials were present at the meeting.

Later, Khader visited the coastal erosion-affected area near the Kapu Lighthouse and inspected the situation. Gafoor, Gurme Suresh Shetty, Ashok Kumar Kodavoor, Swaroop T.K., Hariram Shankar and Vinay Kumar Sorake were among those present.