Collector asks PWD engineers to assess structural safety of govt. buildings

With the Northeast monsoon active, officials have been bracing for the potential challenges. Besides inspecting low-lying areas, they have been procuring materials required to tackle any emergency situation that may arise due to incessant rains.

District Collector Nishant Krishna visited Madurai Corporation office on Thursday, and discussed the monsoon preparedness with Commissioner Gaurav Kumar and other officials.

The Collector said the officials should form teams zone-wise and keep a tab on vulnerable areas prone to waterlogging and flooding. Subways should be kept free from getting choked, he said and suggested the engineers inspect them before rains and ensure that water holes were intact.

He said many old buildings, especially government buildings, should be inspected by Public Works Department engineers. “Based on their reports, the district administration will be in a position to take firm decisions. If the buildings are very old and unfit, the people should be suggested to move to alternative places,” he added.

The state of Pandalkudi channel also figured in the discussion and the officials explained to the Collector the steps taken so far to drain heavy flow of water in the channel.

The Collector said hospitals should have uninterrupted power supply and Tangedco should ensure compliance.

Mr. Krishna urged the supervisory officers to be on high alert till the Northeast monsoon ended.

Later, he took stock of the materials — 10 excavators, 12 tractors, 16 mini-excavators, sucker machines, electric saws, 5,000 sandbags and 25 HP motors — on the Corporation office premises.

The Commissioner said the sand bags would be moved to the identified vulnerable areas and kept ready for swift deployment to prevent possible breaches in the bunds of waterbodies. He also said conservancy workers had been exclusively assigned for handling the monsoon-related works.