9 districts to be declared drought-hit

IMD predicts severe drinking water crisis in these districts

The State government has decided to declare nine districts as drought-hit.

The decision to declare Alappuzha, Kannur, Idukki, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, and Wayanad districts as drought-hit was taken by a meeting of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Notification

The meeting directed the State Relief Commissioner to issue the formal notification in this regard.

The meeting, attended by Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan, Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunil Kumar, Chief Secretary Paul Antony, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) P.H. Kurien, and KSDMA member secretary Sekhar L. Kuriakose, decided to declare the nine districts drought-hit based on criteria such as rainfall deficit, shortfall in availability of surface water and groundwater and salt influx.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there was considerable shortfall in rain in these districts during the northeast monsoon. The IMD had also predicted serious drinking water shortage in these districts.

Idukki did not have drought-like condition until now. The district was, however, declared drought-hit given the possibility of major water sources drying up, resulting in drinking water shortage.

Urgent steps would be taken for supply of drinking water in the affected districts.

Tankers would be used to supply water kiosks.

In the event of sufficient funds not being available with the local government institutions for drinking water supply, funds can be accessed from the State Disaster Response Fund.

Last month, the SDMA had initiated steps to declare nine districts drought-hit after soaring mercury levels in early summer led to water stress. Palakkad and Kozhikode have already reported daytime temperature higher than 40 degrees Celsius on several days, indicating heatwave conditions.

Summer forecast

The annual summer forecast issued by the India Meteorology Department has predicted that the summer of 2018 will be hotter, with maximum temperatures going up by at least one degree above normal.

The government has expedited the work on water supply schemes and temporary check-dams to address the drinking water shortage.

Restoration of local water sources, construction of rainwater pits and subsurface dykes and establishment of water filling stations for tanker lorries have been stepped up.