Kodagu officials review monsoon readiness steps

Madikeri: Kodagu deputy commissioner SJ Somashekar chaired a disaster management authority meeting and reviewed preparations for the upcoming monsoon season. He directed officials to hold taluk-level task force meetings to take precautionary measures in flood-and landslide-prone areas.He said heavy rainfall is expected in the district from the second week of June. "This time, the district has recorded less than 50% rainfall since Jan. However, as there is a possibility of increased rainfall during the monsoon, necessary precautionary measures need to be taken," Somashekar said. He added that sensitive areas, including flood-affected and landslide-prone regions, had already been identified, and officials were instructed to take special precautions in these zones.He said nodal officers had already been assigned and directed officials to work in coordination. A task force meeting will be held at the taluk level under the leadership of MLAs, he added, asking officials to collect data on sensitive areas, prepare precautionary plans, and present them ahead of the meetings.Somashekar also asked officials to provide the current status of schools, colleges and govt buildings. He instructed officials to set up helpline centres in all taluks and suggested that staff work in three shifts to ensure round-the-clock (24x7) operation during the monsoon. "Necessary precautionary measures should be taken as per the guidelines issued by the Geological Survey of India (GSI)," he said.He further directed officials to undertake preparatory works, including pruning roadside trees and replacing faulty and dangerous electric poles, ahead of the monsoon. He suggested involving volunteers from NCC, NSS, the Red Cross, ex-servicemen and others engaged in disaster management activities.Kodagu SP Bindu Mani said the police department had already made necessary preparations for the monsoon. She said four teams had been formed and urged officials from all departments, including fire, forest and electricity, to coordinate with local police stations. ZP CEO Anand Prakash Meena and other district administration officials were present at the meeting.