Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)
Udupi, May 6: Deputy Commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis asked the different district officials to be prepared to face monsoons that will hit the coast from June onwards. She was speaking at a meeting, held on May 6, discussing the preliminary and protective measures needed for monsoons.
“If there are emergency calls during monsoons, the district-level and taluk-level control rooms must respond to them. Artificial floods were formed last year due to work on the highway. The national highway officials should ensure that such incidents do not occur this year,” she warned the officials. She asked them to submit a report of actions taken in this respect. Conduct the work on a scientific footing. Create a monsoon task force,” she said.
“Road work in Padubidri, and between Kundapur and Shirur, is still in progress. Take precautions to prevent accidents there,” she urged.
“The forest department should cut the dead and potentially dangerous trees. Submit a list of facilities available to you, regarding this. If the tools are not available, they will be provided with the aid of the district natural calamities fund. The police and the forest department should work in coordination with each other,” she said.
She asked ACF Achappa who was present at the meeting, to immediately submit a list of facilities available in the department and the list of equipment needed.
The deputy commissioner gave similar orders to the fire service department. “If there are no divers, communicate with locals and take help from them. The list of essentials required should be brought to my notice now, instead of telling me during the calamities. All the departments including Tahsildar and CEO should prepare a reserve mapping,” she said.
“Sparse rains have already begun. The department of health should take precautions against the spread of contagious diseases,” she said.
“As per orders from the Supreme Court, maintain safety in the vehicles ferrying school children, hold meeting with children's protection committee, RTO and education department deputy director to prevent accidents,” she added.
“MESCOM should submit a report on preparations for monsoons," she said.
"The department of animal husbandry should immediately submit a postmortem report if an animal dies. The department of fisheries, ports, inland, small irrigation and PWD should take action considering challenges faced in low-lying areas, places beside bridges, riversides, dams and seashores." she directed.
"In mining areas, the department of mines should hang warning signs including those banning swimming. KIARDL company has already been asked to erect a fence around its premises," said the DC who asked for extra care to be taken in areas around Beloor.
“The Tahsildar should bring to the notice of the DC any tragedy that occurs in the district. It must be seen to that project works that revolve around tourism are not impacted by sea erosion,” she further said.
“A mock operation by the national calamities management unit will be held in the district from May 18 to May 31. Officials must be prepared for it,” she said.
All district level officers including additional deputy commissioner Anuradha were present in the meeting.