Local bodies to set up water kiosks in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Drinking water booths, serving water and buttermilk, will be opened in all local bodies and commercial areas across the state in the wake of intense heat and soaring temperature, a meeting convened by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Saturday has decided.
The meeting on Saturday also decided that oral rehydration solutions will also be made available in these kiosks for emergency purposes. The kiosks will continue to function till the end of May, as the temperatures are usually high until the onset of monsoon. Every district should publicize the details of these water booths, so that the public knows where to proceed in case of a need. The local bodies can use public buildings and those handed over by private individuals for operating the water booths. The government will grant Rs 2 lakh each to grama panchayats, Rs 3 lakh each to municipalities and Rs 5 lakh to municipal corporations from the disaster response fund for the purpose. In addition, the local bodies can also use their own funds or plan funds for the purpose.
Vijayan said that the participation of entrepreneurs should be ensured in the initiative. The state disaster management authority (SDMA) has published a state heat action plan by clearly mentioning the role of each department. The CM instructed various departments, including disaster management, health, animal husbandry, agriculture, forests and wildlife, local self-government and the fire and rescue services, to conduct a widespread campaign on various aspects of handling the intense heat. The campaign will be launched in a week.
The fire and rescue services department has been asked to conduct a fire audit of all vulnerable buildings and commercial areas. The government will sanction Rs 10 crore exclusively for purchasing more fire-fighting equipment.
Also, electrical audits of all hospitals and government offices should be conducted by KSEB and the electrical inspectorate. The water resources department has been asked to identify all places where water scarcity is likely to be reported, so that necessary action plans can be prepared by local bodies.
In addition to the water booths, 5,000 water kiosks that have been set up by SDMA should also be cleansed and put to use. The police, with the help of the fire and rescue services department, have been asked to ensure that all fire-cracker manufacturing units are safe and secure. Drinking water and ventilation should be ensured in all examination halls, as the exam season is going on.
There should be provisions to harness water when the summer rain is received, and all the concerned should ensure that arrangements are made to collect and store water. A strong campaign should be conducted to make the public aware of the need for harnessing rain water, the meeting decided.