Officials instructed to gear up for monsoon sowing, intensify vigil in flood-prone areas

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff on Tuesday (June 2) directed officials of agriculture and allied departments to keep all arrangements in place for the forthcoming sowing season as monsoon activity gathers momentum across the district.

Chairing a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority to review monsoon preparedness and precautionary measures, Mr. Shariff said agriculture-related departments should be fully prepared to meet the needs of farmers during the sowing season.

He noted that the Horticulture Department had reported crop damage on over 45 hectares following recent rains in May, while the Agriculture Department was yet to submit its assessment. He instructed the officials concerned to complete field surveys and furnish reports without delay.

The Deputy Commissioner said the district currently has adequate stocks of agricultural inputs, including 11,634 tonnes of urea, 9,583 tonnes of diammonium phosphate and 13,990 tonnes of complex fertilizers. Around 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes have already been distributed, he added.

Observing that substantial rainfall had not yet been received in many parts of the district, he advised officials to create awareness among farmers against premature sowing. There is no shortage of seeds or fertilizers in the district, and tahsildars and Agriculture Department officials should educate farmers accordingly, he said.

“As many as 153 villages that are vulnerable to flooding have been identified across the district. Officials must remain in constant touch with authorities in neighbouring Maharashtra and obtain information in advance whenever water is proposed to be released from reservoirs. Timely warnings should be disseminated to residents of riverbank villages through public announcements and other communication channels,” he added.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for extensive public awareness campaigns to prevent lightning-related deaths and directed officials to ensure that no loss of human or animal life occurs due to floods or heavy rains.

“We need to identify dilapidated school buildings, anganwadi centres and hostels and shift occupants to safer locations. Information related to damage to crops, public property, roads and bridges caused by rain should be submitted within 24 hours. There shall be no scope for delays in such matters. As heavy rains and flooding can disrupt road and bridge connectivity, alternative transportation routes should be identified in advance,” he said.

24×7 control rooms

Mr. Shariff directed all tahsildars to establish round-the-clock control rooms at the taluk level and deploy staff immediately to respond to emergencies arising out of heavy rains and flooding.

Pointing out that snakebite incidents typically increase during the monsoon season, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the District Health Officer to ensure adequate stocks of anti-venom in all Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres and government hospitals across the district.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Rajul Sankanur, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shaloo, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rayappa Hunasagi, Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannavar, Kalaburagi City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde, Assistant Commissioner Sahitya Aladakatti, district-level officers and tahsildars attended the meeting.