DC asks residents of low-lying areas to shift to safe places for some time
BEOs to decide on giving holidays to schools
Mangaluru, August 14: Following the weather forecast that the rain will continue for few more days across the Dakshina Kannada district, Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil appealed the people living in low-lying areas to move to safer places or their relatives houses for some days to avoid further inconvenience.
In an emergency press conference here on Tuesday evening, the DC said that there was no need to worry. But the people residing in low-lying areas down the rivers should keep their belongings and valuables in safer places and shift to their relatives houses or to gruel centres started by the district administration. People were already given warnings in river banks of Netravati and Kumaradhara rivers in Bantwala and Uppinangady. People should understand the present situation and cooperate with the district administration, he said.
Except Phalguni river, all other rivers like Netravati, Kumaradhara, Shambhavi and Nandini were flowing above the danger mark. In Bantwala, the water level in the Netravati river has increased to 8.6 mts. The district administration has already started its relief works in the places where places were inundated. Apart from taluk level officers, district level officers were deputed to each taluk to take up emergency relief and keep a vigil on the situation. Gruel centres were already opened at Bantwala. IN Mangaluru, tahsildar would take a decision about opening the gruel centres by tomorrow, he said.
The Central Water Commission has been observing the water level in the rivers. But as of now, the rivers in the district were not above the danger level according to their observation. Even then, the district administration is prepared to face any challenges and it has kept 10 boats ready to help the people, the DC said.
Don’t venture into swimming
Some people would go to have the scene of confluence of rivers which is too dangerous. Already, the district administration has made elaborate security arrangements at the place of confluence of two rivers. Even then, people should take precautions. The people should not venture into streams or rivers for swimming without knowing the depth. Parents should keep a vigil on their children, he said.
BEOs to decide on holidays
Based on the intensity of rains and flood situation in each taluk, BEOs would take a decision on giving holidays to schools. Even the parents should take care while sending their wards to the schools. Moreover, the managements of the schools should also take extra care about the children, he said.
District receives record rain!
Since January, the district has received 2779.9 mm normal rainfall. But till now, the district has recorded 3,564 mm rainfall with 128 per cent. Total 11 persons have lost their lives and 11 livestock were killed due to rain-related incidents. So far, 1292 houses were damaged in the rain, he said.
Don’t venture into sea
In the next 24 hours, the fishermen should not venture into the sea for fishing in the coastal region. Those who have been to deep sea fishing were asked to return in groups. Today also, two boats from Malpe were rescued in the sea, he said.
Call helpline- 1077
The DC said that if the people face any kind of problems, they could call the Disaster Management Centre of the district administration over toll-free number 1077 for assistance.
Vehicle movement started in Shiradi, Charmadi Ghats
Because of heavy rains and landslides, boulders and mud was covered on Shiradi Ghat and Sampaje ghat roads which connect Mangaluru and Bengaluru. Now, the mud was removed on Shiradi and Charmadi ghat roads and vehicular movement was resumed slowly. Motorists should not to use Sampaje Ghat road. Instead, they should use Charmadi Ghat road connecting Mangaluru –Bengaluru road as an alternative route, he said.
NDRF team sought
Following the rain related incidents and flood situation, the district administration has sought a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the team might reach Mangaluru by today night or tomorrow morning, the DC said.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
