24×7 control rooms for disaster management to be set up in Ernakulam

Taluk Emergency Operation Centres (TEOCs), 24×7 control rooms for disaster management at the grassroots level, will be activated by May 20, District Collector G. Priyanka said. The TEOCs will be set up as part of the district’s monsoon preparedness measures to handle rain-related incidents. The monsoon is expected to reach the Kerala coast early this year, by May 24, 2026.

The district has, meanwhile, been allotted a disaster relief fund of ₹5 crore by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) ahead of the monsoon. The amount will be used to tackle emergency situations such as flooding. Officials said the fund was sanctioned based on a proposal submitted by the district administration highlighting the district’s vulnerability to flooding.

The district has also been granted ₹5 crore under ‘Operation Vahini’ for desilting and cleaning major rivers, canals, and waterways to ensure the free flow of water and prevent flooding. The major and minor irrigation departments have been allotted ₹2.5 crore each under the programme. A sum of ₹2.82 crore has been allocated for installing geobags along the Chellanam coast to prevent sea incursion, while ₹1.35 crore has been earmarked for cleaning the Mullassery Canal.

The administration has also instructed all departments concerned to ensure preparedness in accordance with the Orange Book of Disaster Management, a comprehensive guideline issued by the SDMA. The authorities said steps have been initiated to cut dangerously hanging tree branches and remove debris from canals and drainage channels.

Local bodies have been asked to upload details of potential relief camps by May 25 and furnish details of equipment such as earthmovers, cranes, and ambulances for emergency use. Tahsildars have been directed to identify suitable buildings in advance.

Meanwhile, the Kochi Corporation has claimed cleaning of smaller canals is almost complete. The Corporation has also started cleaning major canals, including the Thevara-Perandoor Canal, according to T.K. Asharaf, chairperson of the Corporation’s works standing committee.