Madikeri: Kodagu deputy commissioner SJ Somashekar has directed designated nodal officers and assistant nodal officers assigned for disaster management to visit vulnerable locations and implement precautionary measures this monsoon season.
Coordination Among Departments
Speaking at a meeting held with officials at Madikeri, he instructed them to maintain coordination among tahsildars, town panchayat executive officers, engineers, panchayat development officers, gram panchayat staff, police, fire services, health, electricity, and public works department. He also ensured that officials remain stationed in their assigned areas and are available at all times.
Inspections and Action Plans
He asked them to conduct fresh inspections of sensitive, flood-prone, and landslide-prone zones, document current risks, and keep updated location-specific action plans ready for rapid execution during heavy rainfall.
Evacuation and Public Advisories
He instructed arranging advance shifting of residents from high-risk landslide and flood areas to designated care centres when rainfall intensifies. He also emphasized daily dissemination of rainfall and safety advisories to the public.
Structural Safety Checks
He asked officials to check the structural safety of anganwadi, school, and college buildings. They must restrict use of unsafe buildings and prioritize repairs or temporary relocation of services where required.
Resource and Contact List Management
He stressed compiling and circulating updated contact lists of all officials, including mobile numbers. He also emphasized maintaining readily accessible information on availability and location of heavy earthmoving machines, boats, and trained volunteers in each locality.
Drainage and Infrastructure Maintenance
He stressed ensuring drainage systems along highways, PWD roads, and panchayat roads are repaired and cleared so rainwater flows freely, preventing waterlogging and road damage. He also called for timely maintenance of transformers and related electrical infrastructure to reduce outage risks and prevent accidents.
Health and Disease Surveillance
He emphasized stocking essential medicines at primary health centres, strengthening disease surveillance, and running widespread awareness measures to prevent infectious disease outbreaks during the monsoon.
Misinformation Control
He said preventing misinformation on social media through monitoring, timely official updates, and coordinated communication from district administration and police is key to handling the situation.
