Rainfall Monitoring System to Be Installed at Sabarimala, Automatic Weather Station at Nilakkal; Pathanamthitta to Strengthen Disaster Response
Pathanamthitta: A meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority was held at the Pampa Conference Hall at the Collectorate, chaired by District Collector A. Nizamudeen.
District Panchayat President Deenamma Roy appreciated the role played by government officials in relief operations during the recent rain-related disasters. She said the district would consider setting up special relief camps for people from other states and those suffering from serious illnesses. She also stressed the need for officials to ensure that relief assistance reaches the intended beneficiaries.
The District Collector directed all departments to submit their recommendations by September 15 for establishing an effective disaster management response system in the district.
As part of strengthening early warning systems, alarms will be installed at multiple locations, in addition to areas near dams, to alert residents when dams are opened. Local grama panchayats will also be provided with equipment for public-address announcements.
The district administration will coordinate with private hospitals to ensure the availability of medical personnel at relief camps. The functioning of the district- and taluk-level Incident Response System will also be strengthened to improve coordination during emergencies.
The meeting further decided to expedite compensation distribution to disaster-affected people and prepare a detailed plan to remove silt and accumulated debris from rivers and major streams.
As part of strengthening weather monitoring at Sabarimala, the meeting decided to install a rain gauge at Sannidhanam and an Automatic Weather Station at Nilakkal.
Additional District Magistrate R. Rajalakshmi, Deputy Collector of the Disaster Management Department Beena S. Haneef, District Medical Officer L. Anithakumari and officials from various departments attended the meeting.