THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The district administration has directed officers to submit within two days detailed reports on the number of families who lost their homes in the recent cyclone Ockhi. District Collector K Vasuki gave the direction at a meeting convened at the Collectorate for evaluating the search and relief measures.
In the meeting, she said they would continue with the search operations. As some of the bodies are yet to be identified, the Collector said DNA samples have been taken for the early identification of the bodies.
With reports of the loss of fishing equipment, the meeting entrusted the Fisheries Deputy Director to file a report on the loss incurred by the fishermen. The meeting also decided the Collector, Sub-Collector Divya S Iyer, special IAS official D Balamurali and Social Justice Director Nooh should inspect the relief camps and see that adequate food and potable water are available here. They should also see proper treatment facilities with adequate staff is provided in these camps.
The district administration has decided to extend the relief camps for one more week taking into account the prevailing situation in the coastal hamlets. If needed, the camps could be further extended, Vasuki said. Soon after cyclone Ockhi struck the coast on November 30, the district administration opened relief camps, mostly in schools, in each village. Over 200 people took shelter at St Thomas HSS in Poonthura and Government HSS, Vizhinjam.
Apart from this, the District Supply Officer has been asked to ensure distribution of free ration that has been already proclaimed by the government. The Collector also gave directions to provide additional kerosene supply to Adivasis in Peringamala, Vithura and Thennoor.
District Police Chief P Prasanth, District Police Chief (Rural) P Ashok Kumar, officers from various departments were present at the meeting. The district machinery is now on high alert for the relief activities. At Vizhinjam and Poonthura, several help desks of the Revenue, Fisheries and Health departments are functioning 24 hours. The Collector also declared a holiday for the schools where relief camps are functioning.