Kozhikode: As the people from relief camps started moving home, volunteers the district administration and the corporation developed have begun cleaning them.
The health department has issued a guideline for the sanitation work in flooded homes to prevent the spread of diseases.
District collector U.V. Jose announced August 23 as the day for mass cleaning of submerged areas as the water receded. More than 8000 volunteers had already registered with the district administration.
Excise minister T.P. Ramakrishnan, transport minister A.K. Saseendran and all the MLAs and MPs in the district attended a review meeting held at Tagore Centenary Hall.
“Kozhikode has set as a model for others in cooperation and support of citizens in the rescue and relief activities," Mr Jose told the meeting.
"At the same time, not a single penny has been taken from the government or official side for the conduct of the camps, as people started flooding them with essentials including food."
But he felt the post-camp activities are going to be the biggest challenge as cleaning and maintaining public health are critical. "It'll take place in three different areas, mainly, buildings, public areas and houses and there'll be a call centre and control room to coordinate. Volunteers can also use the facility to register," he said.
"The other major challenge is the solid waste management, as tonnes of waste is going to generate from these areas. For this, we have already talked to people related to this area, and an action plan will be made to handle them."
The meeting also decided to implement pop-up repair shops at nook and corner where the affected people could repair their gadgets. Tech students will also be appointed as assistants here.
Road repair of utmost priority
In a meeting to discuss post flood activities held at Tagore Centenary Hall on Monday, MLA’s in the district pointed out the need to repair roads that are in the most pathetic condition at the earliest.
MLA VKC Mammed Koya said that all relief and rescue activities can be carried out by us but repair of roads is completely in the hands of the Government. “If the roads are not repaired on time, accidents are bound to occur,” he added.
In reply, Excise Minister T.P. Ramakrishnan said that the concerned Public Works Department has been directed the charge of identifying all damaged roads in the district and kickstart necessary repair works.
In addition to this, woes over the supply of drinking water will also be taken care of as the local government body has been entrusted with the responsibility of timely distribution of water to required places.
