Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 15: Deputy commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan has instructed concerned officials to monitor and address problems arising from natural calamities and to take precautionary measures.

Speaking at the drinking water and disaster management authority meeting held on Tuesday at the DC’s office, Muhilan emphasized the need for coordination among all departmental officials to tackle upcoming issues and devise solutions. He suggested the creation of a WhatsApp group with staff assigned to monitor it 24/7.

He urged Mescom to act swiftly to address issues caused by rain in urban and rural areas, ensuring precautions are taken to avoid electrical problems. Staff should be assigned to provide remedies within six hours of power failure, and a control room should be established. Special attention should be given to electrical problems in hilly areas.

In some areas, water is supplied through tankers. Measures should be taken to prevent water wastage, and those responsible should be penalized. Muhilan directed that water supplied by tankers must be tested to ensure cleanliness.

Dumping yards and garbage disposal areas should be cleaned before the monsoon. Precautions should be taken to prevent crowding in these areas, and officials should identify and address such locations.

Health department officials were instructed to take measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases like dengue and malaria and to monitor treatment in rain-affected areas.

The forest department and fire brigade should work together to cut tree branches that pose a danger to power lines. In case of fallen trees blocking roads, alternative routes should be arranged immediately. At the gram panchayat and taluk levels, personnel from the fire brigade should be deputed. DC Muhilan also instructed officials to maintain contact with local excavator owners to ensure availability during emergencies.

Officials should visit and take measures to prevent encroachment in areas like Kottara Chowki and Pumpwell, and dredging should be conducted as needed. The national highways department should list landslide-prone areas in Charmadi Ghat and deploy necessary personnel to respond immediately to landslides. He suggested establishing a system to provide road traffic obstruction information through Google in ghat areas.

Officials should visit Anganwadis and schools in danger areas during the rain. Attention should be given to dilapidated school buildings, and actions should be taken to prevent damage. A report on such buildings should be submitted.

A precautionary meeting should be held for fishermen. A team led by fisheries department officials should be prepared to rescue endangered fishermen. The fisheries department should create WhatsApp groups for fishermen to disseminate information.

Muhilan also noted the recent incidents of young people losing their lives in the sea during trips and urged the Home Guards to take preventive actions.

Present at the meeting were district panchayat chief executive officer Dr Anand K, district superintendent of police Ryshyanth C B, Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Anand, DCP Siddarth Goyal, DCF Antony, and Puttur deputy divisional officer Zubin Mohapatra.