District gears up to tackle monsoon-related disasters

A control room at the district-level will function 24x7 till the end of the season

Avenue trees posing a threat to the public will be cleared as part of disaster management efforts in the city.

The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has undertaken efforts to mitigate rain-related calamities in the district and coordinate the activities of various associated departments to open taluk-level relief centres to manage emergency situations.

Control rooms are now functional at the taluk headquarters and the fisheries station at Beypore. A district-level control room will function 24x7 till the end of the monsoon. In all the four taluks, at least one suitable building will be identified to function as the main relief centre, which can accommodate people in the event of flash floods or damage to houses during heavy rain.

The Civil Supplies Department has been given special instructions to ensure that the relief centres have sufficient stock of foodgrains to meet emergency conditions.

The DDMA will keep a close watch on hilly regions in the district, where landslides and overflowing of rivers have caused damage to lives and property in previous years.

Revenue department officials say the district is well prepared this year as a number of voluntary organisations have been trained in coordinating local disaster management activities. The Fire and Rescue Service wing has trained several youths who are now part of volunteer rescue teams in various villages, they add.

Quarrying

As an additional precautionary measure, quarrying will not be permitted in regions where rainfall is very high.

In case of incessant showers for more than 24 hours, the units will have to be shut down immediately. Protection of quarrying areas with strong fences too has been made mandatory.

The Fisheries Department will tighten coastal security measures by deploying rescue guards on contract till the end of the monsoon. Officials say the selection of candidates who are fit to carry out rescue operations will be completed in the district within a week.