Collectors told to ensure supply of drinking water

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With summer getting harsher, the state government has stepped in to ensure that people get enough supply of drinking water.

In a meeting convened on Wednesday, chief secretary Tom Jose directed district collectors to distribute water to areas with water scarcity.

Chief secretary reviewed the situations in all districts through video conferencing. District collectors were asked to constitute special teams consisiting Kerala water authority (KWA) and irrigation department engineers.

Water is already being distributed through kiosks in 306 local bodies. Currently only 20 panchayats have sought support of district administration in tackling drinking water crisis due to inadequate fund. Chief secretary has asked district collectors to take necessary steps on the applications of respective local bodies.

Water resources secretary Tinku Biswal and officials of disaster management authority attended the meeting.

According to IMD, maximum temperature is very likely to be above normal by two to three Celsius in all districts except Wayanad till Friday. However, it has also predicted rainfall in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Wayanad. State has recorded 65% rain deficiency since March 1. Among the districts which got deficit rain, Kozhikode tops the charts (99%). Kannur comes second with 96% deficiency.


Shopkeepers cover mannequins with old bedsheets in order to prevent clothes worn on them from fading due to the intense sun. A scene from Lisie Metro Station in Kochi on Wednesday