Udupi rains: DC reviews flood-preparedness measures for future

Udupi: Chairing a meeting of district disaster management authority here on Thursday, October 15 District Deputy commissioner Dr G Jagadeesha directed officials to provide relief to flood victims at the earliest in accordance with guidelines given by the government.

The rain-related loss to public infrastructure, agriculture property and houses etc has been pegged at Rs 334.2 crore, Jagadeesha said.

Earlier last month, Udupi bore the brunt of the torrential rainfall in the region and a 250-member SDRF team had to be rushed in for rescue operations. This was the first time since 1982 that Udupi witnessed flooding after heavy rains.

In this regard, the DC said that disaster management committees have been set up at gram panchayat level to aid rescue operations if such an event arises. He asked them to compile a list of residents living in low-lying areas for easier evacuation in the future.

The DC also expressed gratitude to rescue workers who assisted in saving the lives of over 800 flood-affected victims by moving them to safer locations.

Further, he directed the municipal commissioner to ensure stormwater drains in the district are free of any obstacles that hamper free flow of rainwater, as well as to inspect land encroachment near them.