Speaking at the natural disaster management meeting through video conference recently, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Venkat Raja has instructed the concerned officials to take steps to protect life of people, livestock and property. He also said as the widespread rain in the district is increasing and there is a possibility of more rain in the coming days.
DC instructed the Nodal Officers who have already been assigned to take necessary precautions in their respective constituencies.
It is very important to protect life of the public, in this regard Dr Venkat Raja said and directed the officials to perform their duty promptly and carefully.
DC also said that a taskforce committee should be formed under the jurisdiction of 103 gram panchayats of the district and necessary precautionary measures should be taken in flood, land slide and shifting residents to safer places.
The DC also advised that all levels of officials should work as a team to avoid any kind of disruption related to natural calamities.
A care centre should be opened to evacuate people from flood affected areas. Tahsildars, Taluk Panchayat (TP) Executive Officers and others should work in coordination to ensure that electricity, toilets and other basic facilities are available in the care centres he said.
Health care should be provided at the care centre. Ambulance service should be made ready. There should be immediate response to victims. DC also directed the District Health and Family Welfare Officer to report how many beds are available in government and private hospitals.
Care should be taken not to disturb the vehicular traffic on the Mysore – Madikeri-Mangalore highway and informed to follow the strict orders issued by the district administration from time to time.
DC also instructed the engineer of the highway department to install  information board regarding road deviation and other safety measures correctly to all the vehicles travelling on all high ways and other roads and near bridges where the water is over flowing.
Dr Venkat Raja further stated that the officials of the concerned departments should immediately clear the landslides, mud falling on the road, trees falling and electricity poles to help smooth vehicular movements.
Staff of the school and colleges should not be absent because of declaring holidays to school-college. DC advised staff to efficiently work to deal with the natural calamities at their respective places
DC also collected information  regarding the dengue case and instructed to focus on natural calamity and as well as in control of dengue. He also suggested that essential medicines should be stocked and good health services should be provided.
Speaking on the occasion Kodagu District Superintendent of Police (SP) K. Ramarajan said that attention has been paid to ensure that there is no disruption of traffic movements on the highway. He also said that necessary precautions have been taken todeal natural calamity.
Kodagu Zilla Panchayat (ZP) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Anand Prakash Meena speaking on the occasion said that all kinds of measures have been taken in the Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat and Gram Panchayat area in natural calamity management and they will always cooperate with the district administration, he added.
District Health and Family Welfare Officer Dr. Satish Kumar that the department has focused on the health care of the flood victims. He also said that more efforts have been made to control dengue as directed by the government.
TP EOs Shekhar and Appanna spoke and told to hold an emergency meeting at the GP level and to take necessary action at the local level. They also informed that a task force meeting has been held at the taluk level.
Tashildar Praveen Kumar, Kiran Gouraiah, Ramachandra gave information about opening of care centres at local level, measures for distribution of food kits etc.
Regional Transport Officer (RTO)Nagarajachari, heads of local bodies, district and taluk level nodal officers and others participated in the video conference.
After the video conference, the DC collected information from the Deputy Director of School Education and Literacy Department Rangadhamappa about the condition of the school buildings due to the torrential rains that have been pouring in the district from last one week.
Later, Venkat Raja participated in a video conversation with Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda and gave information about natural calamity management in Kodagu district.
DC Venkat Raja gave information to the minister regarding the relocation of flood affected victims, establishment of care centre etc.
