Udupi, DK, Uttara Kannada to take measures against rising sea erosion

Udupi, DK, Uttara Kannada to take measures against rising sea erosion

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 8, 2012 : K. Amaranarayana, the secretary of the state government’s revenue department, is in Mangalore to finalize the Sea Erosion Alleviation Project, which includes safety measures to be taken in Udupi, DK, and Uttara Kannada against rising sea erosion.

 

Addressing reporters at a press meet held in the DC’s office on June 7, Thursday, K. Amaranarayana said that sea erosion is highest in Kumta, Honnavar, and Ankola, and all safety measures will be taken in Udupi district to check the rising sea erosion, particularly now that the monsoons have set in and the coastal district has already witnessed 13.5mm rainfall.

He also told reporters that the DCs of DK, Uttara Kannada, and Udupi will meet and discuss ways and methods to check sea erosion. They will prepare the blueprint for the Sea Erosion Alleviation Project within a week and send it to the central government for its approval. The project is estimated to require around Rs. 36 crore for the three districts. The central government will provide 75 percent of the funds and the state government will provide 25 percent, he added.

Speaking about measures to be taken in case of damage to life and property due to sea erosion, he said that shelters will be set up in schools and other institutions and victims will be given immediate relief of anywhere between Rs. 1000 and Rs. 35,000. He also spoke about the need to strengthen the cyclone warning system as people have no way to communicate when natural calamities strike.

 He said that the administration has launched the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), which will function in collaboration with all concerned departments. The task of the DDMA is to manage a range of disasters by adopting a perspective of disaster risk reduction by enhancing institutional capacities to prepare for disasters, respond effectively to them, and recover quickly from them.

He urged the media to provide more information about disaster manager, adding that the DDMA will take the initiative of training the media about disaster management. A one-day workshop will be held for the media in the near future, he added.

He also said that 40 teams have been formed under the tahsildar’s leadership to deal with disasters. The public can contact the control room (2220587, 2410953), the tahsildar (9916821123), the commandant – Home Guards (98450 84411), the fire service (101), the Bantwal control rooms (232120), the Puttur control room (230349), the Belthangady control room (232047), the Sullia control room (230330), Kadaba (260435), and Moodbidri (238100) in case of distress, he added.