Safety first gets a chance

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan did not mince words when he said people should be prudent in choosing a safe place during a calamity, especially in response to rescue workers' directions. And most of them did, even without prodding. DC catches up with some of them who heeded the direction; some even with their cattle and pets. 

People carry a country boat to other side of Meenachil river through Mutholi bridge for rescue operations near Pala in Kottayam on Friday (Photo: RAJEEV PRASAD)

THIRUVANANTHPAURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed to the people living in flood and landslide prone areas to follow the instructions being given by district administration and cooperate with evacuation to avoid major accidents in the heavy rains.

The Chief Minister was addressing mediapersons after chairing a high level meeting of officials here.

A dairy farmer in Manjaly shifting his cattle to safe place, when water level started to increase. Most of the dairy farmers shifted their cattle without any instruction from authorities as they lost several animals in last year's deluge. (Photo: DC)

The Chief Minister said priority needs to be given to saving human life. “People residing in flood and land slide prone areas should shift to safer places immediately. During the floods last year, there was confusion in the area after Banasurasagar dam was opened and this should be avoided,” he said.

The possibility of landslides and flooding in low-lying areas is high and the situation was reviewed in the evening, he said.

The appeals made by rescue teams and volunteers should be adhered to. Precautionary measures are vital. Relief camps will be operational from Saturday morning. The authorities have been asked to give special care to children, women, and patients, elderly and pregnant.

Mr Vijayan said the National  Disaster Relief Force has deployed 12 teams teams in the state . Of them, Malappuram has 2, Wayanad 3, Pathanamthitta 1, Thrissur – 1, Kozhikode – 1 and Iddukki -  1.

The Chief Minister said the situation in many parts of Wayanad is grim. With water level rising in Banasurasagar dam at a faster rate following extremely heavy rains in Wayanad and in parts of Karnataka, the gates are likely to be opened any time.

Rs 22.58 cr has been sanctioned for districts to meet the emergency requirement. Shutters of seven KSEB dams, six irrigation dams have been opened.

Ministers have been deputed in districts; C Raveendranath – Idukki, K T Jaleel – Malappuram, E P Jayarajan – Kannur, A C Moideen – Thrissur, P Thilothaman – Kottayam, K Raju – Pathanamthitta, T P Ramakrishnan – Kozhikode, V S Sunil Kumar – Ernakulam, J Mercy Kutty Amma – Kollam.