THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In view of the intensifying monsoon, the Revenue Department will open 3,950 camps across the state. Revenue Minister K. Rajan convened an emergency meeting with District Collectors at the State Disaster Management Authority to assess the current situation. Two relief camps have already been opened. People living in disaster-prone areas must relocate either to the camps or to their relatives' homes as per the directions from the authorities.

A detailed assessment of disaster-prone areas in all districts has been completed. Projections have also been made on where and how many people may need to be relocated in case of emergencies. Special monitoring will be conducted in these areas.

Up to 5.3 lakh people can be relocated
Adequate facilities will be arranged in the 3,950 relief camps to accommodate up to 529,539 people. In view of the risk of infectious diseases, quarantine and other necessary arrangements will be made in the camps. Pet animals brought to the camps will be housed separately. Officials from the Revenue and Local Self-Government Departments will manage the camps.

Rs 1 crore each for District Collectors
Each District Collector has been allocated Rs 1 crore for disaster management activities. This fund is intended for purchasing safety equipment and setting up the camps. Collectors have also been granted permission to use up to Rs 25 lakhs immediately.

Under the Disaster Management Department, an amount of Rs 1 lakh each has been allocated to panchayats, Rs 3 lakhs each to municipalities, and Rs 5 lakhs each to corporations.

Response forces on alert

• Police, Fire Force, Civil Defence, and Aapta Mitra groups are on high alert.
• Two teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are stationed in Thrissur. Seven more teams will arrive by June 1. Support from forces like the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and the CRPF will also be available.
• Arrangements will be made, in coordination with the Food Department, to ensure the supply of food grains in colonies and specific areas that are likely to become isolated.
• Alternative traffic routes are being identified in case of disruptions on national highways. The 'Kavacham' early warning system will be used to issue timely alerts.
• Action will be taken against those spreading false information on social media. Real-time weather alerts will be provided to the public through the respective District Collectors’ Facebook pages and phone-based communications.

"All officers in the Revenue Department must not take leave until June 2 under any circumstances. Those on leave for non-essential reasons must return immediately. The public should remain vigilant and not ignore weather alerts."
— K. Rajan, Revenue Minister