District Collector U.V. Jose has asked officials to speed up the process of setting up water kiosks at 63 places across the district as part of drought-relief measures.
Mr. Jose, who took charge on Monday, said the places were likely to be affected by acute scarcity of water. Nirmiti Kendra has been asked to provide the infrastructure for setting up the kiosks by March 10.
Officials of the Kerala Water Authority said places that had water supply were unlikely to face drinking water shortage till mid-May. Supply of pure drinking water would be ensured in coastal areas where salinity in water is high. Revenue Department officials were asked to identify places that are likely to be affected by drought and drinking water scarcity.
Meanwhile, in view of the State government banning drilling of new borewells till May-end, Mr. Jose said that private persons would not be allowed to drill new borewells. The quality of water in waterbodies adjacent to quarries would be checked and exploitation of water from such sources would be curbed, said a press release.
