Kanniyakumari District Collector R. Alagumeena on Thursday chaired the southwest monsoon preparedness meeting, held at the district collectorate.

Addressing the meeting, she said sub-collector, tahsildars and other senior officials must identify low-lying areas and ensure camps to accommodate residents of these areas are kept ready.

She added that information on people safely evacuated, deaths due to lightning strikes, livestock losses and damage to houses must be uploaded immediately at the TNSMART website.

The water level at Pechiparai and Perunchani dams are to be maintained at 43 feet and 71 feet respectively during the monsoon season and maximum discharge from the dams should not exceed 2,000 cusecs. In case of maximum discharge from the dams following flood warnings, immediate steps must be taken to evacuate people living in low lying areas to safer locations.

The highway department has been instructed to keep equipment, vehicles and sandbags ready in sufficient quantities to carry out immediate repair in the place where trees fall on highways and roads are damaged due to rain and floods.

The fisheries and fishermen welfare department should synchronize the details of fishermen who go for fishing, on a daily basis, as well as those engaged in deep sea fishing. Fishermen who remain at sea for extended periods should be promptly informed about weather warnings.

The TANGEDCO officials have been directed to inspect high and low voltage electrical connections and to remove the damaged poles.

District Revenue Officer A. Poongothai, District Forest Officer A. Anbu, Padmanabhapuram sub collector Vinay Kumar Meena and other officials were present.