Collector's direction to officials to face SW monsoon at Ooty

District Collector  M. Aruna presided over a review meeting with government officials at the additional office of the Nilgiri District Collector regarding the development of South West Monsoon. 
In this meeting, she said: Nilgiris district is likely to be affected by southwest monsoon. 283 areas have to be monitored round the clock by officers with 42 zonal teams. 456 relief camps are ready to accommodate the people in affected areas in case of natural calamities. Also, the highway department should cut and remove dangerous tree branches from the roadside. Keep sandbags ready as a precautionary measure in landslide prone areass.  All emergency equipment used by the fire department should be kept ready. The Rural Development and Local Government Departments should clean the culverts under their control. Likewise, the Public Works Department should carry out dredging works of canals under the Water Resources Department and culverts under the control of the Agricultural Engineering Department in collaboration with the Revenue Department. Medicines and pills required by the public must be kept in stock. The Revenue Officers shall keep the keys of the relief camps in their possession. Also, emergency vehicles should be ready to operate if needed. District Supply and Consumer Protection Department and Co-operative Department should ensure stock of essential commodities including rice and pulses to provide food to the people staying in the relief camps in case of any natural calamities. Also, the horticulture department should carry out an immediate survey of the crops affected by rain and flood in collaboration with the revenue department. On behalf of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, the necessary electrical equipment and personnel should be kept ready to repair electrical equipment such as poles, transformers, etc. due to natural disasters. In order to carry out the rescue operations, the officers of the Local bodies Highways Department and Fire Department should keep the rescue equipment available in various areas. Also, a toll-free telephone number 1077 should be kept for the public to inform the district administration in case of any damage due to natural hazards. If any complaints are received on the above numbers, the concerned officers should immediately go to the field and carry out the rescue work promptly.  All government officials should be ready to face the South West Monsoon. After the meeting, she told the reporters:- Following the orange alert for heavy rains in Nilgiris district on 18th, 19th and 20th, a review meeting was held with officials. To face the effects of rain and flood in our district 3,700 front workers, 6 officers, 456 relief centers, about 25 vehicles on behalf of the fire department, 100 JCP machines, 25,000 sandbags and personnel including doctors on behalf of the health department are ready. During the 3 days of heavy rains, measures have been taken to bring pregnant mothers living in rain and flood affected areas and admit them to hospitals.  Action has been taken to shift the fair price shops in the rainwater catchment areas mainly in the depressions to the upland areas. As the essential commodities are in stock, even though the road is damaged due to rain, all measures have been taken to transport the essential commodities to the public. Also, people are advised not to make unnecessary journeys during the rainy season and the elderly and children are advised to stay safe during the rainy season as diseases are likely to occur.It is requested on behalf of the district administration that people can contact the toll free number 1077 to inform about the rain and flood damage. Also, as there is a chance of rain for more than 3 days from tomorrow, the tourists should come to the Nilgiris district with safety.