Control room to monitor monsoon situation

A special control room to monitor the monsoon situation would function at the Collector's Office from July 1, said Collector Jayashree Muralidharan here, on Thursday.

Chairing a review meeting with officials of line departments to discuss the precautionary arrangements to be put in place ahead of the onset of the south west monsoon, Ms.Muralidharan said all departments should nominate a nodal officer and the details conveyed to the control room. Rain related information could be conveyed to the control room over the telephone at 2461178 or the toll-free number 1077.

The Collector instructed the Revenue, Public Works and Development departments to inspect all water bodies and rivers in the district to ensure preventive measure were taken against breaches in bunds. The PWD should keep in readiness adequate quantity of sand bags. Stocks of sand bags should be kept ready at all panchayat union offices. Officials should identify and maintain shelters to accommodate people at times of emergencies.

Heads of departments should not leave headquarters or go on leave without the consent of the Collector. Disaster coordination committee meetings should be held at the divisional and taluk levels. Officials of the Corporation, Revenue Divisional Officers and Block Development Officers should inspect low-lying areas and initiate appropriate preventive measures. Control rooms should be set up at the Corporation, Revenue Divisional and Taluk offices, she said.

Adequate stocks of essential commodities should be maintained at the ration shops and they should be kept in readiness to be transported to affected areas.

The Fire and Rescue Service Department was asked to ensure that rubber boats and coracles were kept ready. Demonstrations on rescue operations should be conducted by the police and Fire and Rescue Service.

All government hospitals primary health centres and dispensaries should have adequate stocks of medicines. The Animal Husbandry Department should also have stocks of medicine to prevent any outbreak of diseases among cattle, she said.

T.Thiyagarajan, District Revenue Officer, Ramaiyah, Deputy Commissioner (Crime and Transport), S.Raja Mohamed, City Engineer, and senior officials attended the meeting.