District Collector K. Mohammed Y. Safirulla has ordered various departments to make necessary arrangements to meet any emergency in the wake of the Indian Meteorological Department’s forecast of heavy and extremely heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The move is taking into account the possibility of flooding, landslips, and soil erosion owing to heavy rain. P.T. Sheela Devi, Deputy Collector (Disaster Management), has been entrusted with the district-level coordination.
The Collector has directed the district emergency operation centre to remain alert round-the-clock. Services of the police and the Fire and Rescue Services Department will be made available to the centre. Tahsildars have been asked to activate 24/7 taluk-level control rooms from Friday.
A Deputy Collector each has been deployed as in-charge officers in each taluk. Relief camps in areas vulnerable to flooding and landslips will be readied by Friday. Arrangements will be made there for overnight stay of people. The police will make public announcements on heavy rain forecast and the possibility of floods and landslips in all areas, which were hit by the recent disaster, on Friday. People will be asked to move to relief camps, if necessary.
Directions have been issued to officials to draw up lists of equipment needed for rescue work and make arrangements for their hiring. People are advised against travelling to high-range areas during night, and steps have been taken to regulate traffic between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Tourists will be strictly banned on roads in high-range areas during night.
Local bodies have been asked to make arrangements for relocation of people from high ranges, coastal areas, and areas vulnerable to flooding to safer places. Steps will be taken to ensure that warnings reached people in time. The Collector asked hospitals, primary health centres, and community health centres in vulnerable areas to remain prepared to meet any eventuality. The Health Department will ensure the presence of medical teams on the field, besides taking steps to avoid breakout of epidemics.
Monitoring of dams under Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will be intensified. Shutters of dams will be allowed to open only after taking permission four hours in advance from the District Collectors concerned. KSEB will remain alert to deal with power supply and traffic disruptions. Dams under the control of the Irrigation Department will also be under close supervision. Shutters of dams will be opened only during day time.
The Fisheries Department will also open 24-hour control rooms for monitoring the evolving situation. Steps have been taken to disseminate warnings meant for fish workers in coastal villages and harbours through places of worship, people’s representatives, and organisations in the fishing sector.
The department has asked fishermen out in the sea to return to the shore before Friday. The Coastal Police and Marine Enforcement will also open control rooms.
The Social Justice Department has been asked to relocate differently-abled people in vulnerable areas from Friday. Advisory has been issued against travelling to high-ranges to watch Neelakurinji till further directions.
