Nilgiris on red alert for heavy rain; relief camps and helpline set up
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and rescue personnel, and revenue department authorities are prepared to help the affected people.
Representative image (PTI)
CHENNAI:As heavy rains are expected in the Nilgiris over the next two days, the authorities are on high alert and are prepared to tackle emergencies.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and rescue personnel, and revenue department authorities are prepared to help the affected people. Also, a 30-member National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has been deployed in the hills.
District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said that a decision on the closure of tourist spots will be made based on the intensity of rain. As many as 43 teams are ready to monitor round the clock in areas prone to be affected during rains.
She also appealed to people to stay away from vulnerable and dangerous places.
“Tourists coming to Ooty should follow weather alerts issued by the meteorological department. They should avoid going to tourist spots that are closed and shouldn’t either stand or park vehicles beneath the trees,” she said.
NDRF Inspector Gopinath said that they are equipped with modern equipment to rescue people trapped in mud slips and tree falls.
“We are now a team of 30 members, and more personnel will be roped in if rain damage is severe. Our team will continue to be involved in the restoration of places battered by rain,” he said.
The district administration is in a state of preparedness after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for the Nilgiris district. The Nilgiris witnessed moderate showers in Kotagiri and Gudalur taluks on Friday; however, no damages were reported.
Meanwhile, holiday was declaschools declared a holiday on Saturday. Even though the government and aided schools are on leave, the education department has directed private schools to also remain closed.
The Nilgiris District Chief Education Officer (CEO), G Nanda Kumar, has warned of strict action against schools that function in violation.
In Coimbatore, where too the IMD has forecast heavy rains, there was a brief shower on Friday, and it remained cloudy for most of the day.
