Udupi: With rainfall levels soaring well above average, Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K has directed all departments to stay vigilant and act promptly in response to heavy rains and possible natural calamities across the district.
Presiding over the District Disaster Management Authority meeting held in Manipal on Tuesday, she emphasized immediate relief and quick disbursement of compensation to affected individuals. So far this year, Udupi has recorded 2,803 mm of rainfall, a 43% increase over the anticipated 1,959 mm. More downpours are forecast, making proactive communication essential. The DC urged officials to relay daily weather updates to citizens and especially to coastal fishermen to safeguard lives.
The heavy rainfall has severely impacted local infrastructure. Damage includes 9.8 km of state highways, 15 km of district roads, and nearly 905 km of rural routes, along with 24 bridges. Over 30 public buildings—including schools, anganwadis, and health centres—have also been affected. Officials were instructed to survey losses and estimate repair costs immediately.
To ensure safety, engineers from PWD, education, and rural departments were told to inspect schools for structural stability. Unsafe buildings must be evacuated, and students should not attend classes in risky structures. Parents and teachers must be alerted to keep children away from such areas.
Regarding a reported crack in the Baje dam on the Swarna River, the DC demanded urgent inspection. She also highlighted a Rs 5 crore grant for rural footbridges, urging faster tendering.
The CEO of Zilla Panchayat, Prateek Bayal, confirmed that vulnerable coastal erosion zones from Shiroor to Hejamadi have already been mapped.