Officials ordered to prepare for monsoon sowing and intensify vigilance in flood-prone areas

Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff chairing a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority to review monsoon preparedness and precautionary measures in Kalaburagi on Tuesday (June 2). | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kalaburagi Deputy Commissioner Ikram Shariff on Tuesday (June 2) directed officials of agriculture and allied ministries to keep all arrangements in place for the upcoming sowing season as monsoon activity gathers momentum across the district.

Mr. Shariff, who chaired a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority to review monsoon preparedness and preventive measures, said the agriculture-related departments should be fully prepared to meet the needs of farmers during the sowing season.

He noted that the Department of Horticulture has reported crop damage in over 45 hectares following the recent rains in May, while the Department of Agriculture is yet to submit its assessment. He directed the concerned officials to complete field surveys and submit reports without delay.

The Deputy Commissioner said that the district currently has sufficient stocks of agricultural inputs, including 11,634 tonnes of urea, 9,583 tonnes of ammonium phosphate and 13,990 tonnes of complex fertilizers. He added that around 5,000 to 6,000 tons had already been distributed.

Noting that many parts of the district are yet to receive abundant rainfall, he advised officials to create awareness among farmers against early sowing. There is no shortage of seeds or fertilizers in the district and tahsildars and agriculture department officials should educate the farmers, he said.

“Across the district, as many as 153 villages have been identified as flood-prone. Officials must remain in constant touch with authorities in neighboring Maharashtra and get advance information whenever water from reservoirs is proposed to be released. Early warnings should be disseminated to residents of riverside villages through public notices and other communication channels,” he added.

The deputy commissioner stressed the need for massive public awareness campaigns to prevent lightning-related deaths and directed officials to ensure that there is no loss of human or animal life due to floods or heavy rains.

“We need to identify dilapidated school buildings, anganwadi centers and hostels and shift residents to safer places. Information regarding damage to crops, public property, roads and bridges due to rain should be submitted within 24 hours. There will be no room for delay in such matters. As heavy rains and floods may disrupt road and bridge connectivity, alternative transport routes should be pre-determined,” he said.

24×7 control room

Mr. Shariff directed all tahsildars to set up round-the-clock control rooms at the taluk level and immediately deploy personnel to respond to emergencies caused by heavy rains and floods.

Pointing out that snakebite cases usually increase during the monsoon season, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the District Health Officer to ensure adequate stock of anti-venom in all primary health centres, community health centers and government hospitals across the district.

Zilla Panchayat CEO Rajul Sankanur, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shaloo, Additional Deputy Commissioner Rayappa Hunasagi, Additional Superintendent of Police Mahesh Meghannavar, Kalaburagi City Corporation Commissioner Avinash Shinde, Deputy Commissioner Sahitya Aladakatti, district officers and tahsildars attended the meeting.

Published – 02 Jun 2026 19:39 IST