Dakshina Kannada, Udupi district ministers direct officials to be alert due to heavy rain

Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao directed the district administration to promptly address public issues caused by the rain. The minister held a meeting via video conference with the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) commissioner and district officials on Monday.The minister directed officials to respond immediately to rain damage in the DK district and MCC limits to prevent inconvenience to the public. He instructed officials to remain active in taluk centres. In Mangaluru city, preventive measures should be taken in areas where water enters homes. The minister directed officials to respond promptly and undertake clearance operations when trees fall on roads or houses due to strong winds."Be cautious of landslides occurring in several areas near residential houses. Evacuate people from homes in such hazardous areas to safer locations. Exercise caution regarding unsafe anganwadi school buildings. Address the issue of rainwater flowing into residential areas from national highway construction sites. Fix the problem of water stagnating on roads at places like Pumpwell Junction, causing traffic disruptions. Be vigilant to prevent electrical hazards from fallen power poles during storms," the minister directed.Relocate residents from riverbank settlements to safer locations if necessary, and set up relief centres. Warn against swimming in open quarries, ponds, and rivers. Take urgent action on reports of trees falling on roads, compound walls collapsing, damage to power poles, water entering shops, and road damage within the Mangalore city municipality area. The minister also directed officials to implement more precautionary measures this year due to last year's landslide near Kettikallu on the outskirts of Mangaluru.Hebbalkar asks officials to be alertIn light of the red alert declaration in Udupi, district minister Laxmi Hebbalkar directed the district administration to take precautionary measures. "Heavy rainfall is continuously falling across the district, and a forecast of heavy rain has been issued for the next three days. Precautions should be taken at tourist spots and river and sea banks," Hebbalkar said.The minister stated that tourists should be prohibited from entering dangerous areas. People living along the sea and riverbanks should be relocated as a precaution if necessary. Care centres should be opened for public convenience, and a 24-hour helpline should be operational in all seven taluks, the district minister said.