Azhikode : The government opened the district’s first multipurpose cyclone relief centre in Azhikode to shelter residents in coastal areas during disaster times. The building, constructed at a cost of Rs 3.5 crores, sprawls on 20 cents in Eriyad panchayat located in Azhikode village office limits
The shelter will serve as temporary refuge for persons displaced or stranded by natural disasters. The building has been built with aid from the World Bank and forms part of the disaster relief initiatives of the state government. The project was listed in Chief Minister’s 100-Day Programme. Preparations are underway for its inaugural..
The cyclone shelter is aimed to reach coastal residents to a safe refuge during cyclonic storms, sea incursions and floods that have now become a frequent phenomenon. Roughly 700 to 1000 people can be accommodated at a time here during emergency. The building has been set up under Centre as part of National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project.
The three-storied building has a built-up area of 7500 sq ft with separate rooms and toilets for men, women and differently abled persons on each of its floors along with separate facilities for children.
The premise also houses a 2000 litre tank to provide safe drinking water and another 8000 litre capacity water tank for other purposes.
Similar cyclone shelter homes shall be set up at 14 location across state’s districts, the design and architecture of which has been entrusted with PWD’s Construction Division.
The shelter home shall be managed by a committee formed under the local self-government body. The committee can also decide on alternate usage of the facility during disaster-free intervals.
