Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (KR)
Udupi, May 18: Revenue minister R Ashok held a meeting at the DC’s office on Tuesday May 18 after visiting various cyclone-affected places in the district.
After the meeting, addressing the media, Ashok said, “I have visited three places. Yesterday nine people were rescued by the navy and air force. Prior to that, the NDRF team rescued some people from another boat tragedy. They also recovered some bodies and the hunt is on for the missing people. The NDRF team is working throughout the day in this regard.
“Due to the cyclone, nearly 75.04 mm rain was recorded in the district. Nearly 14 colleges are identified to set up rehabilitation centres and all necessary arrangements will be done accordingly.
“Due to heavy rain and wind, more damages occurred in the coastal belt. The SDRF team is working in full swing to make necessary arrangements. Nearly 100 coconuts trees, 32.55 acre of agriculture plantations, state, district roads, Mescom poles, lights, transformers, nearly 5,571 meters of seashore, Padubidri blue flag beach area, stones which were put at the seashore, and roads beside the seashore are completely damaged. As per primary report, the damage is estimated to be worth nearly Rs 68 crore. The deputy commissioners, PWD department and other related departments have been instructed to estimate the loss due to the cyclone. Water had entered several houses. We will release the funds in two days for those people. Partially damaged houses will be given Rs 1 lac and completely damaged houses will be given Rs 5 lac.
“Due to the lockdown, a ban was imposed on mining activities, but we will revoke the ban immediately,” he said.
Speaking on lockdown, he said, “As per my personal opinion, I suggest the lockdown to be extended as the rate of positivity is coming down. But it depends on the chief minister (CM). Tomorrow, we have a meeting. The CM may come up with necessary steps to tackle the spread of the virus.
“As people travelled from city to villages, cases spread to rural areas. In my area, I have already started a pilot project with a team of 15 doctors, 40 nurses and other staff where they have to visit the villages.
In this regard, already final year postgraduate students, MBBS students, and final year nursing students are being utilized for this work. They will be given all safety essentials like PPE kits, sanitizers, gloves etc for a month. They will have to go to villages at least once in two days and conduct tests. And if required, those affected can be shifted to taluk or district hospitals for further treatment. The project will be implemented elsewhere too,” he said.
DC G Jagadeesha, SP Vishnuvardhan, MLAs K Raghupati Bhat, Sunil Kumar, B M Sukumar Shetty, Lalaji R Mendon, zilla panchayat CEO, Dr Y Naveen Bhat, Coastal Development Authority president Mattar Ratnakar Hegde, and other officials of different departments were present.