Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB/DV)

Udupi, May 31: "As the monsoon will commence in the district within two or three days, the staff of various departments should take precautionary measures and be prepared to encounter the impending problems following the onset of monsoon in the district," said deputy commissioner G Jagadeesh.

The DC speaking to the district level officers via video conference directed them to gear up to face challenges brought on by the monsoons. "The officials should checkout the measures taken to clean the drains under the limits of local bodies. Take steps to ensure that there is a free flow of the rainwater in drains and 'Rajakaluve'. After removing the silt from the drains and 'Rajakaluve' dispose of in proper manner," Jagadeesh said

"Keep ready the staff who will work for 24/7 under the zilla panchayat limits for the benefit of villages. He also asked to open 24/7 helpline numbers in all the taluk and zilla panchayats who will have to be quick to respond to the complaints of people. Also, ensure that staff is available in the centre," he added.

He also asked the forest department officials to make arrangements to clear the trees fallen on the road due to the monsoon. "The health department should also focus to prevent diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya. In this regard give appropriate directions to primary health centers," the DC said.

He also asked the fire and emergency service officials and home guards to get prepared to tackle the monsoon. MESCOM officials should immediately solve the issues pertaining to electricity which got disconnected due to the monsoon. Also, ensure that no untoward incidents are reported due to electric wires. 

Deputy commissioner also asked the fisheries department to warn the fishermen from venturing into the sea after May 31, and further stated that the violators would be booked under the Karnataka Epidemic Act and Karnataka Marine Fishing Regulation Act. He also directed the mines and geology officers to book the quarry owners if any untoward incident is reported in the stored water in the quarries. The quarries where mining has been stopped should be fenced and the appropriate cautionary board should be fixed on the place. He also asked agriculture department officials to take proper precautionary measures for agriculture ponds.

He asked all the tahsildars to issue compensation if people lose their life or the livestock dies due to the rains. "Tahsildar should file the report on the crop damage that takes place due to the rain. Avoid stagnation of water under the flyover in Kundapur. Take measures to avoid waterlogging on national highway and the service roads. Make a list of expert swimmers, divers, and boats to ferry the people from the place of distress. Keep schools ready enough to be transformed into care centre during the time of crisis. He also asked all officials of the revenue department to be prepared to tackle the monsoon situation. 

Coast Security Police SP Chethan said, "There is a dedicated team and boats who will swing into action during a natural disaster. All fishermen have been warned from venturing into the sea during the monsoon." Additional SP Kumar Chandra also informed that the police department has a 10 teams to tackle natural disasters.

Additional deputy commissioner Sadashiva Prabhu, Kundapur assistant commissioner, Raju, tahsildars and other staff members were present during the meeting.