Despite 50 per cent rainfall deficit, Kodagu braces for intense monsoon

With Kodagu district recording 50 per cent below-normal rainfall from January till date, the district administration has stepped up monsoon preparedness measures amid forecasts of heavy rain during the upcoming southwest monsoon season.

Anticipating the onset of the southwest monsoon in the first or second week of June, Kodagu Deputy Commissioner S.J. Somasekhar on Tuesday directed district and taluk-level officials to step up precautionary and disaster preparedness measures, particularly in flood-prone and landslide-vulnerable areas.

Presiding over a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority in Madikeri, Mr. Somasekhar said that despite the district receiving nearly 50 per cent below-normal rainfall so far this year, there was a possibility of intense rainfall during the monsoon season and officials must remain fully prepared.

He said vulnerable zones, including flood-affected and landslide-prone areas, had already been identified and instructed officials to maintain vigilance in such regions. Nodal officers had also been appointed and were asked to work in coordination with tahsildars, taluk panchayat executive officers, local police inspectors and engineers.

The Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to convene taluk-level task force meetings under the leadership of local MLAs and disseminate precautionary information in vulnerable areas. He also sought reports on the structural condition of schools, colleges and government buildings ahead of the rainy season.

Mr. Somasekhar directed authorities to establish round-the-clock helpline centres at the taluk level in addition to the existing district-level control room, with staff working in three shifts during the monsoon period.

He said departments including Revenue, Public Works, Panchayat Raj, Urban Development, CESC and the Forest Department must work in coordination to tackle rain-related emergencies and damage. Officials were also asked to take preventive steps such as removal of roadside trees posing danger and replacement of damaged electricity poles.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to maintain updated information on families residing in vulnerable areas and ensure preparedness for evacuation to relief centres in the event of floods or landslides. Relief centres, he added, must be equipped with drinking water, electricity, toilets and other essential facilities.

He also called for the involvement of NCC, NSS, Red Cross volunteers, ex-servicemen and other volunteers in disaster management activities.

Superintendent of Police Bindumani said the police department had already formed four special teams for monsoon-related emergency response.