Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi
Udupi, Jul 24: Due to the possibility of heavy rains in the upcoming days, district commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari has instructed officials to take all necessary precautions to prevent loss of life and property.
Presiding over a district-level disaster management authority meeting held today at the Manipal Rajatadri district office hall, she emphasized the need for preparedness. She stated that the monsoon rains are expected to continue until the end of August, and the possibility of floods at any time requires officials to be ready. Plans should be made to evacuate people from low-lying areas in urban and rural regions to safer locations and provide necessary basic facilities immediately.
Dr Vidyakumari highlighted that July has seen 50% more rainfall than usual, with a total increase of 17% so far. Some rivers are flowing above danger levels. According to NDRF guidelines, loss compensation information should be consolidated and provided. So far, 645 houses have been partially damaged, 21 houses fully damaged, with 90,882 hectares of horticultural loss, 59.95 hectares of agricultural loss, and an estimated infrastructure damage cost of Rs 100.37 lacs.
A task force committee chaired by PDOs has been formed at the gram panchayat level and should meet regularly. Nodal officers have been appointed at the district and taluk levels to coordinate with tahsildars and taluk panchayat EOs to respond to emergencies. Temporary works such as repairing culverts, small buildings, and filling potholes on roads can be undertaken using NDRF funds. Engineers should conduct site inspections before reporting losses and provide accurate reports.
There have been complaints about damage to roads leading to fishing activities. Fisheries department officials have been instructed to investigate and provide necessary proposals for their maintenance.
Since dengue cases may increase during the rainy season, officials from all departments should ensure that rainwater does not accumulate anywhere. Quarry owners should ensure that water does not stagnate in quarries. Fogging and chemical spraying should be carried out to prevent an increase in cases. So far, five malaria cases have been reported, and measures should be taken to prevent further spread.
In the next two to three days, the chief minister will hold a separate meeting regarding coastal erosion and other rain-related damages. Departments are required to provide detailed reports of damages caused by rain, along with photographs, to facilitate the allocation of funds. mescom should replace old power lines to prevent accidents due to falling lines. Several dangerous roadside trees have already been cleared, but there are complaints about hazardous trees on private property. Necessary actions should be taken to remove these trees, with the cost recovered from private owners as taxes.
The meeting was attended by additional district commissioner Mamata Devi G S, coastal security SP Mithun H N, DFO Ganapathi, municipal commissioner Rayappa, various district-level officers, taluk tahsildars, and others.