Daijiworld Media Network

Mangaluru, Aug 6: In view of heavy rains in the district, deputy commissioners of both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, declared holiday on August 7 for all schools and colleges.

Deputy commissioner Sasikanth Senthil had earlier informed in the morning that decision on holiday for schools and colleges will be taken once the district administration receives weather report from the Meteorological department in the evening.

Speaking to mediapersons Hephsibha Rani Korlapati said, “‘Red Alert’ has been declared in the district. If there is more than 20 cm of constant and heavy rainfall, the district administration will think about sanctioning holiday for the next two days on August 8 and 9. There is no shortage of fund for managing natural calamity. Since 3 to 4 days, the rainfall is high here.

“The government has issued Rs 10 lac each for seven tashildars of the district and instructed them to address emergency issues and release required amount to help rain affected families.

“We have instructed the tashildars to open ‘Parihara Kendras’ in necessary areas, where 40 to 50 people can accommodate at one place. The district administration is ready to face any oncoming natural calamity.

“An NDRF team is stationed at Surathkal. They will reach by one hour to Udupi in case of any emergency.

“We are monitoring everything, where disasters have taken place. I have spoken to concerned department. We have visited damaged areas in the morning.

“We have sent proposal to the government asking fund for constructing resistant wall at Bada Yermal and Ucchila sea shore.

“If anyone passes misleading messages through social media or WhatsApp regarding school holidays, I will approach the superintendent of police and request to take suitable action against them,” she said.