THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: To quench the thirst of the passers-by and save them from the heat, the local bodies will set up 'Thanneer Pandals' on the roadsides and distribute buttermilk and drinking water. ORS will also be made available. This is due to the possibility of heat waves and sunstroke. The decision was taken at a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
For Tanneer Pandals, two lakh rupees will be allocated to the grama panchayats, three lakhs to municipality, and five lakh to corporation from the disaster response fund. The heads of departments and district collectors should ensure the cooperation of traders. Campaigns will be conducted to ensure the availability of drinking water to passengers and the general public in collaboration with hotels, voluntary political and youth organizations, clubs, etc. Local bodies should implement action plans to solve the drinking water shortage. The local department's fund or own fund can be utilized for drinking water supply. The water resources department should find out the areas where water shortage will be severe in advance. The disaster prevention authorities and the local governments should prepare action plans. 5000 water kiosks installed by SDMA should be made operational. 10,000 rupees per kiosk will be sanctioned to the local bodies for cleaning or reorganizing them. The concerned departments should have a plan to store maximum water during summer rains. Local models should be developed for this. It should be developed for a campaign led by representatives of the people.
Within 15 days
To cope with the epidemic
Health workers should be specially trained to deal with burns and summer communicable diseases. Essentials including ORS should be ensured in PHCs and CHCs.
Student safety
The education department should ensure the safety of the students and staff. As it is the exam period, there will be more tension. It can increase heat stress. Ventilation and cold drinking water should be ensured in the examination halls.
Fire safety
The police with the help of the fire safety department should immediately inspect firecracker manufacturing and storage facilities and ensure fire safety. Centers related to the festival should also be checked. Festivals should be conducted as per the guidelines published by the Disaster Management Authority.
Ministers K Rajan, P Prasad, Chief Secretary Dr. VP Joy, Additional Chief Secretaries Dr. V Venu, Sarada Muralidharan, State Police Chief Anilkanth, Fire Force Chief B Sandhya, Disaster Management Authority Member Secretary Shekhar Kuriakos and others participated in the meeting.