Special team formed to coordinate monsoon preparedness in Kerala

T’puram: PWD minister P K Basheer has announced the formation of a special team led by chief engineers to coordinate inspections and oversee preventive measures aimed at mitigating possible damage caused by the monsoon across the state.

Basheer said the team has started conducting inspections statewide and all monsoon preparedness and disaster prevention activities will be carried out in accordance with its recommendations.

PWD has already initiated a series of pre-monsoon maintenance works. Key activities include cleaning culverts and drainage channels, filling potholes, trimming branches of hazardous trees and those leaning towards roads, and clearing roadside vegetation to ensure safe travel during the rainy season.

The minister said all roads that have crossed their maintenance period have been grouped into various clusters and are being maintained through running contract works. Strict instructions have been issued to all executive engineers to ensure the timely completion of pre-monsoon works.

The department has also directed executive engineers to remain prepared for emergency interventions during periods of heavy rainfall. Extensive repair and maintenance work has begun in govt buildings across the state. The focus is on preserving structural integrity, preventing water leakage, ensuring electrical safety and avoiding waterlogging within premises.

Additional measures include clearing dust, leaves and debris that obstruct rainwater drainage through pipes, carrying out urgent repairs to damaged roofs, removing vegetation growth from sunshades and terrace edges, desilting drains and drainage channels, and cleaning all stormwater drains.

As part of the monsoon preparedness programme, the minister said administrative approval has been granted for repair works on 44 bridges across the state at an estimated cost of Rs 1.65 crore.

The govt expects the coordinated efforts of the special engineering team and field officials to strengthen the state’s preparedness for the monsoon season and minimise disruption to public infrastructure.