Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru - (ANK)
Mangaluru July 8: Karnataka minister for urban development and housing, U T Khader, directed officials to be on high alert as heavy rain is expected in the district till July 11.
Addressing media persons after holding meeting with revenue and fire service officials here at the office of the district deputy commissioner on Saturday July 7, U T Khader said, "during the last two days, our district has witnessed heavy rains and the downpour is predicted to continue to pound the coast sometimes as high as 170 mm on some days till July 11 as per the weather forecast. During this monsoon season so far, we have received 1958.8 mm of rainfall. Officials need to be on high alert as there is chance of water level in rivers and rivulets crossing the danger mark and houses located in low-lying areas might get submerged. So officials need to be always alert to rescue people without waiting for orders from higher officials," he asserted.
He also said, "So far during this monsoon season, nearly 929 houses suffered damages while 12 houses were damaged during the last two days. As far as compensation is concerned nearly a crore of rupees has been disbursed so far for damaged Pakka houses, and compensation of Rs 23 lac has been paid for the deaths in natural calamities. As regards Kaccha houses, out of 118 damaged houses, 102 houses have been compensated," he narrated.
U T Khader said, "I also urge the officials to identify the spots where danger is waiting to happen in advance and also take help of local people and fishermen in the matter of rescuing people in places like Bajal, Jeppinamogaru, Kallapu etc which face the prospects of getting affected by flooding.
He also said that national disaster recovery framework team would be arriving in the district and draw up their own action plan. "Even the control room will be functioning 24x7 and i have urged officials to respond to the people and not neglect the calls for help," he added.
Meanwhile U T Khader distributed eight rescue boats, three scuba diving kits and tree cutter machine, and tents worth Rs 23 lac to the fire service department at the premises of DC office.
When asked about the disappointment expressed by local BJP MLA about the state budget, Khader said,"They seem to be lacking information about the budget and this is a an additional budget presented in continuance of earlier budget which was presented by then chief minister Siddaramaiah in the month of February. Siddarammaih had given enough for the district and it would be wrong to say that coastal districts have been completely neglected. In the coming days, after the current assembly session, we will conduct a meeting to draw up action plan on this budget with the representatives," he added.