Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 8: With the monsoon season fast approaching, the Dakshina Kannada district administration has geared up its pre-monsoon preparedness by identifying 92 flood-prone and 88 landslide-prone areas across the district.

Chairing a review meeting on pre-monsoon preparations at the deputy commissioner’s office on Friday, district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao directed officials to take immediate precautionary measures in these vulnerable zones. He instructed authorities to visit areas that witnessed floods and landslides last year and implement preventive steps to avert any disasters. The minister also emphasized the need to expedite the desilting of major stormwater drains (Rajakaluves) and urged all departments to work in strict coordination.

Briefing the minister, deputy commissioner H V Darshan stated that the desilting of drains and Rajakaluves is currently underway using heavy machinery, with most of the work in Mangaluru city already completed. He added that eight vulnerable spots prone to sea erosion have been identified and mitigative measures are being taken to minimize danger.

"To handle emergency situations, 24x7 disaster management control rooms have been opened at both the district and taluk levels. A State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team is already stationed and operating in Mangaluru, and a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team is expected to arrive by the end of May," the DC informed. Public warnings are actively being issued in the identified 180 vulnerable locations.

Identified vulnerable areas The district administration has prepared a comprehensive list of areas susceptible to floods and landslides based on geographic risks, such as low-lying regions and houses situated near steep hills or retaining walls. Pre-rain mitigation steps, including the relocation of residents from danger zones, have been ordered.

• Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits (Flood-prone): Kasba Bengre, near Pandeshwar railway gate, Kottara Chowki, Pumpwell junction, Padil highway, Jappinamogaru, Alake, Malemar, Maladi Court, Attavar, Surathkal Bailar area, Hoigebazar, Valachil, Bajal Padu, Kulur junction, near Kannur mosque, Moodushedde, Padushedde, and Bajal.

• Mangaluru taluk (Flood and landslide-prone): Addur, Mulur, Mallur, Adyar, Arkula, Tenkulipadi, Mogaru, Badagulipadi, Ulaibettu, Malavoor, Kenjar, Chelairu, Madhya, Surinje, and Delanthabettu.

• Mulki taluk (Flood-prone): Balkunje, Karnire, Athikaribettu, Elinje, Ulepadi, Kilenjur, Nadugodu, Kilpadi, Haleyangadi, Pavanje, Panja, Koikude, Bappanadu, Manampadi, and Padupanambur. Authorities noted there are no landslide-prone zones in this taluk.

• Ullal taluk: Pavoor, Ullal, and Someshwar are identified as flood-prone. Meanwhile, Permannur, Ullal, Someshwar, Manjanady, Ira, Balepuni, Konaje, Munnur, Belma, Harekala, Boliyar, Phajir, Sajipa Nadu, and Kurnad are listed as landslide-prone.

• Moodbidri taluk (Landslide-prone): While there are no flood-prone areas, Beluvai, Shirthady, Puthige, Niddodi, Badaga Mijar, and Hosabettu have been marked as vulnerable to landslides.

Additional deputy commissioner K Raju noted that alongside managing the ongoing drinking water supply issues, equal priority is being given to pre-monsoon alerts and structural stability in these listed areas.

Zilla panchayat CEO Narwade Nayak Kharbari, superintendent of police Dr Arun K, DCF Ravishankar, Mangaluru sub-divisional officer Meenakshi Arya, and other officials were present at the meeting.