Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 22: With widespread rainfall lashing Dakshina Kannada district, flood-prone areas must be continuously monitored to avoid any loss of life due to negligence, said in-charge deputy commissioner Dr K Anand. He was presiding over a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority held on Wednesday at the Prajasoudha conference hall in the district office complex.
“Landslide- and flood-prone areas must be identified in advance. Residents of such areas should be relocated during red alerts. Areas that were submerged last monsoon must be visited frequently to ensure there are no blockages to water flow,” he instructed.
“Village accountants, PDOs, and heads of urban local bodies must remain at central locations and respond promptly to public concerns. Negligence in disaster management will not be tolerated. Disciplinary action under the Disaster Management Act will be taken against such officers,” he warned.
The forest department and MESCOM must remove hazardous trees near power lines to prevent accidents or fatalities during the monsoon. Departments concerned must also ensure that roadside and highway drains are cleaned to prevent waterlogging.
Dilapidated school and anganwadi buildings must be repaired. Teachers must ensure that students do not touch electrical switches or cables. Under no circumstance should classes be conducted in unsafe classrooms, he stated.
There have been complaints of rainwater entering low-lying areas near the international airport in Bajpe. The in-charge DC directed officials to take necessary action to resolve the issue.
“Expert opinion from NITK is being sought to address the problem,” said officials from the Airport Authority.
During the fishing ban period, boats must not enter the sea, and labourers must not sleep on boats during this time. The minor irrigation department must take measures to desilt dams and check dams. There have been several incidents of children drowning in rainwater collected in pits created by sand extraction. The mining department must ensure such incidents do not recur, he added.
The in-charge DC also recommended restricting tourist access to waterfalls in the Malnad region and beaches during periods of heavy rain. If necessary, home guards or security personnel should be deployed at these locations.
Urban local bodies and gram panchayats must test drinking water in laboratories once every 15 days. Pipes supplying drinking water should be protected from contamination by drain water or other substances. To prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, people are advised to consume only boiled drinking water, he advised.
Additional deputy commissioner Santosh, Mangaluru City Corporation commissioner Ravichandra Nayak, and assistant commissioner of police Geetha Kulkarni were present at the meeting.