With Nagapattinam district, the tail-end of the delta region, receiving widespread rainfall over the past few days, Health Secretary and Monitoring Officer for the district, J. Radhakrishnan reviewed the monsoon preparedness here on Saturday.
Mr. Radhakrishnan chaired a meeting with Collector S. Suresh Kumar and senior officials to discuss the precautionary measures taken in view of the heavy rainfall alert for Sunday and the North-East monsoon ahead.
Later, he said that the coordination committees, headed by officers in the rank of sub-collectors, have been formed at each of the eight taluks in the district to carry out rescue and relief measures. As many as 632 relief shelters have been kept ready to accommodate people in case of inundation and 4,480 first responders have been identified to take up rescue measures. Besides, 2,020 first responders have been identified to protect cattle.
Over 1.19 lakh sand bags and nearly 11,500 casuarina poles have been kept ready to plug possible breaches in water courses. A 24-hour control room has also been established at the Collector’s Office. People can also provide rain related information on the toll-free number 1077.
Mr. Radhakrishnan also disclosed that all fishermen who had ventured into the sea have returned following the heavy rainfall warning. However, regular warnings were being issued to the fishermen in the coastal areas.
Repair works were continuing to strengthen the bunds of the Kollidam River at Alakudi in the district.
The bund was damaged during the recent heavy discharge of water in the river.
Besides, vulnerable places have been identified and precautionary measures have been taken, he said after inspecting the repair works at Alakudi.