The Kerala government has appointed Seeram Sambasiva Rao IAS, currently serving as Principal Director of the Local Self Government Department, as the Special Officer to oversee disaster management and relief operations following the recent landslides in Wayanad. 

Recently he was assigned as a Director on the Board of Kerala Agro Business Ltd (KABCO).

Seeram's extensive career includes significant roles such as Kozhikode Collector, Director of Survey and Land Records, Executive Director of Information Kerala Mission (IKM), and Joint Secretary of the Public Works Department. 

Tenure as Kozhikode Collector 

His previous tenure as Kozhikode Collector was marked by a notable intervention aimed at addressing the plight of street dwellers.

Seeram launched a programme to provide shelter for the homeless, predominantly migrant workers from North India. Initial efforts to engage these individuals were met with resistance, as many were sceptical of government intentions. When COVID-19 struck, the urgency of the situation became clear. Seeram promptly devised a plan to relocate the homeless to temporary shelters established with NGO and welfare organisation support. This move was crucial in mitigating the health risks posed by the virus, particularly given the existing comorbidities among the homeless population.

Over a span of two to three months, the district administration, under Seeram's guidance, identified permanent shelter homes and extended a range of support services to nearly 1,000 individuals. This comprehensive aid included meals, medical treatment, haircuts, surgeries, and counselling. Additionally, those without ID cards were issued new ones, and a literacy programme was introduced. Skill and vocational training were provided, leading to over a hundred individuals securing employment in various sectors, with some even transitioning to accommodation offered by their employers.