Kerala - Kochi   

District administration takes steps to meet rain-related calamities

Staff Reporter

PWD, corporation told to assess preparedness of agencies

BRAVING THE RAIN: A group of schoolchildren wading through a pool of rainwater in the city on Tuesday. The city experienced heavy rain during the morning hours. - Photo: H. Vibhu

KOCHI: A meeting of the district administration held at the Ernakulam district collectorate on Tuesday has asked the Public Works Department (PWD) and the City Corporation to take immediate steps to face monsoon-induced natural calamities and to assess the preparedness of various agencies.

The agencies have also been asked to clear the drains and to remove the garbage. Instructions had been given to replace the missing slabs on the footpath, which had in the past led to accidents during monsoon as the pedestrians were caught unawares. The meeting chaired by Additional District Magistrate A.K. Thankappan asked tahsildars across the district to prepare an action plan to face possible calamities during the monsoon. Besides, they were asked to specially identify areas in their respective taluks, which were badly hit during the monsoon in the previous years, and to keep ready shelters in the event of evacuation of people.

Control rooms have been opened in almost all the taluks. Tahsildars were also urged to hold panchayat-level meetings of the NGOs to ensure concerted efforts in relief operations. The primary health centres have been asked to store enough life-saving drugs. The health authorities have been asked to be alert to prevent the spread of epidemics. The construction of seawall at Chellanam would be accelerated. People have been advised to avoid swimming in rough sea.

The Fisheries Department has opened a round-the-clock control room (Ph: 0484-2502768). The department has trained 24 persons from among the local fishing community whose service would be utilised in the rescue service. Besides, assistance is available from the marine enforcement wing. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has opened a disaster management cell (Ph: 0484-2392358) in the Ernakulam division, while another cell will be opened in the Perumbavur division shortly. A toll free number from the BSNL network, 1912, will also be available.

The police have intensified patrolling along the coastal areas.

Cleanliness drive

Each division of the corporation will be provided Rs.5,000 to take up disease-control activities. In a council meeting here on Tuesday to discuss the escalated non-vector viral fever and chikungunya cases, Mayor Mercy Williams said the National Rural Health Mission sanctioned this amount to carry out cleanliness and awareness drive.

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