Form disaster management panel within time: DC

Disaster management committee should be formed within a stipulated time in order to strengthen the disaster management system in Kodagu, Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy stressed on Thursday.

She was presiding over a meeting in the DC’s office in Madikeri on Thursday. She said the district should be in a state of preparedness to face natural disasters.

Boats should be kept ready in order to shift the people to safe locations. Telephone connections and accessibility of vehicle should be taken care of, she said.

Superintendent of Police Suman D Pannekar favoured permanent plans to face natural disasters.

Zilla panchayat CEO K Lakshmipriya said people should be provided with medical facilities and counseling.

It was decided in the meeting to form a committee of local people at village, taluk and district levels to creare awareness about disaster management. Various sub-committees will be formed for the protection of cattle, setting up of relief centres, gaushalas, providing nutritious food and rehabilitation measures, Annies said.

Additional Deputy Commissioner T Yogesh and Unicef representative Venkatesh Aralikatti and others were present.