Kollam District Development Committee (DDC) meeting, chaired by District Collector Annie Jula Thomas, has issued a comprehensive directive to execute disaster mitigation efforts with precision and strict adherence to timelines ahead of the monsoon season.A key priority highlighted during the meeting was the urgent need to continue cutting down hazardous trees located on public roads and school premises to ensure public safety. To combat the spread of seasonal diseases, officials have been instructed to intensify sanitation drives and observe Dry Days more rigorously, alongside expanding the activities of ward-level sanitation committees.Drain cleaningAddressing specific regional issues, the committee directed the Corporation to establish temporary waste management systems in the coastal area of Vaddy. Furthermore, a call was made to streamline and enhance the efficiency of drain cleaning activities in the Chavara constituency. Immediate measures will be taken to accelerate the cleaning of drainage systems in areas like Kallumthazham, Kuttivattam, Nallezhuthumukku, and Thirumukku to effectively prevent severe waterlogging.Speaking at the meeting, district panchayat president R. Latha Devi said that funds have been allocated under a specially prepared blueprint for various monsoon preparedness projects in schools falling under the district panchayat’s jurisdiction.Meanwhile, infrastructure directives included conducting immediate soil testing prior to commencing construction at the District Hospital. Additionally, officials have been asked to carefully manage the ongoing construction at Kadakkal Taluk Hospital so as not to disrupt the facility’s daily health-care operations.The meeting also underscored a series of crucial road and utility upgrades across the district. Directives were issued to reconstruct the Don Bosco road in Thrikkovilvattom and expedite repair works on rural roads. Upgrading Parippally Primary Health Centre into a Family Health Centre, alongside establishing a new bus route to the Parippally Medical College, swift completion of high-mast light installations in Thrikkovilvattom and Kottamkara panchayats, construction of a temporary boundary wall at Chavara St. John’s LP School and steps to resolve frequent power disruptions in rural areas were the other issues discussed.Special meetingTo address the growing stray dog menace, a special high-level meeting will soon be convened to discuss the construction of more dog shelters.In Karunagappally, authorities were instructed to immediately fill the trenches dug for National Highway construction at the High School junction and to install more directional signboards in the area. Finally, the committee pushed for intensified flood-mitigation efforts and ensured service of the rapid response team (RRT) at Pathanapauram. Published - June 28, 2026 06:54 pm IST