Kerala - Kozhikode   

Desilting of drains being taken up on a war footing in Kozhikode

Maleeha Raghaviah

Work being taken up under waste management project

KOZHIKODE: Desilting of drains to prevent flooding during the monsoon has been carried out on a war footing this year, Corporation Health Officer B. Beena Kumari says.

A sum of Rs. 21 lakhs has been disbursed for the work under the Model Solid Waste Management Project in the 51 wards.

The funds were allotted based on a report on the need of each ward. ``Though the work commenced in May, it is still going on. The difference in operations this year is that desilting is being carried out on a ward-level basis instead of at the circle level as in previous years," Dr. Beena Kumari says.

``This has been highly effective. The ward health inspector and junior health inspector, who are the conveners of the committee set up for the purpose, have been monitoring the progress of the work regularly. The slush is being removed immediately,'' she adds.

The corporation councillor Renuka Devi says a sum of Rs. 45,000 was disbursed in her ward 49 this year for desilting.

``The welcome aspect of cleaning drains this year is that the slush is removed immediately. Unlike last year, it is not left on the roadside to be washed away by the rainwater. The cleaning of the huge drains, especially near school areas such as that of St. Michael's School, was done in a foolproof manner.

``We need around Rs. 10,000 more to desilt the drains on the stretch near Kanakalaya Bank and East Hill Road, though flooding does not pose a problem in the area,'' she adds.

Eight to 10 daily-wage earners are carrying out the work.

Preventive measures

The corporation has also taken up the chlorination of wells on a war footing to prevent the outbreak of water-borne diseases.

Awareness classes are being organised on diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid.

Dr. Beena Kumari said that besides checks by health inspectors, health squads were conducting checks in hotels to ensure hygiene.

Supply of safe drinking water is being ensured.

District Reproductive and Child Health Officer A. Baburaj says that an epidemic control cell has been set up. The rapid response team is operating round the clock to meet any exigency in the event of an outbreak of epidemic.

Adequate stocks of medicines for fever and diarrhoea have been supplied to the primary health centres. Material for chlorinating wells, IV fluid and so on has been stocked.

Dr. Baburaj says there is no threat of dengue this year. Reports from hospitals are being monitored.

Though an outbreak of typhoid was reported, immediate remedial measures were initiated to contain the infection.

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