Hyderabad: Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari directed the District Collectors to sensitize people about sunstroke, dehydration, etc., due to the high temperatures in April and May.
The Chief Secretary reviewed the state’s drinking water supply, precautionary measures to be taken in view of rising temperatures, infrastructure provision in schools, and procurement of paddy during a video conference with District Collectors today.
Santhi Kumari said severe heat wave conditions are likely during these two months in the state, especially in districts like Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees. People should be informed about preventive measures in summer. She said that ORS packets, IV fluid and other medicines had been distributed in large quantities in all the districts and made available at the respective primary health centres and sub-centres. Similarly, she said that ORS packets are also available at Asha workers and employment guarantee work centres.
Children and the elderly have been advised not to go out in the strong sun, especially between 11 am and 4 pm.
The Chief Secretary said that special officers are being appointed in every mandal and village for effective monitoring of water supply. She said that one district-level officer is appointed for each mandal and one mandal-level officer is appointed for each ward and village to monitor the supply of fresh water every day. She said that the Additional Collector of local bodies will monitor the water supply in the district. She suggested that if there is any disruption in the supply of fresh water in a village, draw water from rented agricultural wells. Water should also be supplied through water tankers. Repair and flushing of borewells in all villages and wards has been completed, and leakage in pipelines has been stopped.
The Collectors of Nalgonda, Suryapet, and Khammam districts have been directed to take appropriate steps to ensure that the Krishna water released from the Nagarjuna Sagar project for drinking water purposes reaches the Paleru project.
Santhi Kumar said that 7,149 centres had been set up in the state for the purchase of Yasangi paddy, and all these centres will be opened in the next four to five days. Paddy procurement through the already established procurement centres is going on in full swing. She asked to open private branches in villages, identify those buying below MSP, and take appropriate action. (INN)