IDUKKI: The government, on Saturday, directed the district administration to take steps to shift people living in the vulnerable areas to relief camps in the wake of water rising to 141 feet against the permissible limit of 142 feet in the over a century-old Mullaperiyar dam.
With the Chief Minister issuing the directive to ADM Mohanan Pillai, all the revenue wings of the district have sprung into action to coordinate different agencies like Fire and Rescue Services, Police Department, Health Department, voluntary agencies, and over 2,104 volunteers trained by the NDRF, to increase the vigil.
“Collector Ajit Patil, who is in Sydney on an official tour, is monitoring the situation and giving necessary direction,” the ADM told ‘Express’.
Over 400 families living in the vulnerable areas have been given the option to move to relief camps by Saturday night.
A data of families including differently-abled people and the elderly have been collected by the teams lead by Deputy Collectors.The ADM visited the most vulnerable panchayats of Ayyappankoil and Upputhara and held discussions with elected leaders, politicians and government officials.
Disaster Management committees held meetings at Chappathu, Vallakadavu and Upputhara.
The administration has shunted non-functional generators and will use over 100 small generators for providing light in case of emergency. SP Alex M Varkey and Kattapana DySP will coordinate a team of 200 policemen exclusively deployed for any emergencies.
“The district administration has set up a mechanism to meet any eventuality and we are in a state of readiness,” the ADM said.
“The Rapid Response Team, the Fire and Rescue Services, police and revenue officials are ready with the vehicles and other support,” he said.
The main control room for the relief operation, at Peermade Taluk office, headed by the ADM is monitoring the situation every 30 minutes.
Eight relief shelters are set up at different points. The shelters will take in people residing at the Vallakadavu-Vandiperiyar Road, Churukkulam-Attoram-Periyar town-Nellimala, Kadasisikkadu-Chandravanm-Keerikara-Vandiperiyar, Chandravanam-Shantipalam-Keerikara Road, Vallakadavu-Haileyburia-Kozhikkanam-Elappara, Chappathu-Karunthiri-Attuchal and Marykulam junction.
Each shelter is under the control of a Deputy Tahsildar while each relief centre is overseen by a senior village officer.