Berhampur: In a proactive measure, the Ganjam district administration on Wednesday started preparatory works for monsoon by coordinating with all line departments for quick response, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts early arrival of southwest monsoon this year.The administration conducted its first district-level natural calamity committee meeting at Chhatrapur, which all district-level officers attended.Additional district magistrate (ADM) (revenue), Ganjam, Debadatta Panda asked the concerned officers to prepare all cyclone-shelter centres ready to evacuate people, if necessary.To prevent breaches and floods during monsoon, he urged engineers of the water resources department to identify weak river embankments and take measures to strengthen them.The district administration also stressed on cleaning of drains for free flow of rainwater and to avoid waterlogging in urban areas. He also asked health and agricultural officials to prepare for monsoon-related eventualities.He said the rapid response team (RRT) would be deployed in each block for their quick response to natural calamities. Besides, NDRF and ODRAF teams would also be reserved in the district to utilise during any eventuality. Relief work needs to be undertaken in calamity-affected areas in association with the local NGO, elected representatives and other activists.Advanced preparation assumes significance as Ganjam, one of the coastal districts, was identified as prone to cyclones and floods during monsoon and post-monsoon period.Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC) has already started preparing for monsoon by cleaning major drains. Berhampur mayor Sanghamitra Dalei and commissioner A Sasya Reddy visited different wards and inspected cleaning work of drains. They also discussed waterlogging problem in around 70 locations in the city.“Repairing and cleaning of all major drains are going on,” said a BeMC officer. The corporation has earmarked Rs 5 crore for repair of drains and potholes on roads for this year, he said.
