Review meet held to check monsoon preparedness

Thiruvananthapuram: A review meeting of officials from various departments was held at the collectorate on Thursday to discuss pre-monsoon cleaning activities and preparedness measures ahead of the rainy season.District collector Anu Kumari, who chaired the meeting, directed all departments to intensify monsoon preparedness activities under their respective leadership. The meeting reviewed precautionary measures to be undertaken by each department before the onset of monsoon.Health department was instructed to take preventive measures against the possible spread of dengue fever at construction sites, where stagnant water could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.Discussions were held on ensuring basic facilities at schools, identified as relief camps, based on the updated list prepared by authorities. Officials were directed to complete necessary arrangements before the monsoon begins. The meeting also stressed the need for emergency response team meetings at local self-govt institutions.Authorities were asked to conduct a special survey among migrant workers employed in plantation sectors and appoint dedicated officials to issue warnings and ensure necessary facilities for them during the monsoon period.The district collector said information regarding resources available with each department for monsoon preparedness could be uploaded to the India Disaster Resource Network portal. Directives were also issued to install warning boards along riverbanks and coastal areas and to clean canals, ponds and water bodies before the rainy season.Officials were instructed to inspect the structural safety of all bridges under local bodies and submit reports to disaster management authority before May 23.The administration also directed departments to strengthen night patrolling in hilly regions and tourist destinations, trim tree branches leaning towards roads and provide monsoon safety training, including for children with disabilities.Authorities will also conduct inspections of seawalls in vulnerable coastal areas. The district collector directed officials to ensure that the cyclone shelter at Muttathara was made fully functional before the monsoon.The meeting was attended by officials from various departments and tahsildars.