Dakshina Kannada ramps up monsoon preparedness; repairs sanctioned for 228 facilities

Mangaluru: Ahead of the southwest monsoon’s expected onset in Kerala on June 4, Dakshina Kannada district administration has intensified preparedness, sanctioning repairs to 91 school buildings and 137 anganwadi centres under the District Disaster Management Authority.

Deputy commissioner Darshan HV said Rs 2.5 crore has been released for anganwadi centres and Rs 1.5 crore for school buildings. The repair works will be executed by panchayat raj engineering (PRE) department.

He said additional funds would be provided if more repair works are required in schools, hospitals and anganwadi centres. Departments have been told not to use dilapidated buildings, while the education and women and child development departments have been directed to identify structures that have developed cracks. PRE engineers have been asked to assess such buildings and submit feasibility reports.

As part of preparedness, the administration has identified 115 relief centres and directed officials to keep them ready. Authorities have also been instructed to identify and remove dangerous tree branches and electrical wires near schools and anganwadis in coordination with the forest department and Mescom.

The district has identified 88 landslide-prone locations, with mitigation works undertaken at several sites. Flood-prone areas have also been mapped, and warning signboards will be installed in vulnerable stretches, including NH-169 and NH-275. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone regions have been advised to move to relief centres or safer locations during Red Alert periods.

To strengthen response, a 25-member NDRF team will be stationed in Puttur taluk and a 10-member SDRF team in Subrahmanya. The administration has kept 28 rescue boats, chainsaws, life jackets, lifebuoys, earthmovers, tippers and cranes on standby. Departments including PWD, PRED, Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited, National Highways Authority of India and rural water supply have been directed to position personnel and machinery in vulnerable locations.

Incident commanders have been appointed in all 60 wards of Mangaluru City Corporation, gram panchayats and urban local bodies. A 24x7 helpline will remain operational for the next three months to receive grievances. Warning boards will be placed near unsafe bridges, culverts and accident-prone stretches.

The health department has been asked to intensify awareness campaigns to prevent mosquito breeding and check diseases such as dengue and chikungunya, and curb water- and vector-borne diseases. Tourists and the public have been advised to avoid trekking routes, riverbanks and seashores during adverse weather. Departments have also been asked to maintain records of tourists undertaking treks and their return.