Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 6: With only a few days left for the onset of this year’s monsoon, the district administration has made preparations to prevent any incidents of heavy rainfall-related damage.

This time, a decentralised system has been put in place, with incident commanders appointed for each gram panchayat/ward in rural areas as well as in urban local bodies.

An amount of Rs 30,000 has been allocated to each gram panchayat, which can be utilised during emergency situations such as landslides, water entering houses, falling trees, and similar incidents.

A separate control room is being readied at the deputy commissioner’s office for overall monsoon management in the district. Dedicated staff will be deployed, and personnel from the National Highways department and Fire and Emergency Services will also be on duty in shifts to assist during emergencies.

Permission has already been obtained from the forest department to remove branches of trees that are in a dangerous condition at various places in the district. This measure is aimed at preventing such trees from causing problems during heavy rains.

All rescue equipment is being kept ready to enable immediate response during disasters in the rainy season. It has been decided to deploy Home Guards at beaches including Ullal, Someshwar, Mogaveerapatna, Panambur, Tannirbhavi, Sasihithlu, and Surathkal to prevent the public from entering the water.

In addition, SDRF and NDRF teams will be deployed to carry out rescue operations in disaster-prone areas such as landslides and floods.

Desilting work of major drains has already been undertaken to ensure smooth flow of rainwater.

Instructions have been issued to repair all unsafe and dilapidated school buildings in the district and keep them in good condition. Authorities have also been directed to prepare a list of dangerous trees in the premises of anganwadis and schools and remove them through the forest department.

Steps have been taken to remove logs and other debris stuck in the gates of vented dams to ensure the smooth flow of rainwater.

MESCOM has also been instructed to open helplines before the monsoon, coordinate with the forest department to remove dangerous trees, and take precautions to prevent power disruptions.

Areas with houses built on hills and slopes, as well as locations prone to sea erosion, have been identified. Residents in such areas have been advised to move to relief centres if there is any danger. Notices have been issued to such house owners, and written undertakings will be obtained stating that if they continue to stay despite warnings and any untoward incident occurs, they will be held responsible.