Drought relief on Cabinet agenda

Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph convened an urgent meeting of officials here on Tuesday to assess the situation.

Kerala Cabinet meeting on Wednesday will discuss measures to combat possible drought during the coming summer in the State.

The monsoons have been deficient in the State and drought is imminent if summer rains are not copious.

The Cabinet is to consider precautionary and mitigating measures.

Not much, however, can be done on the irrigation front, as paddy crops have begun drying up in some districts.

Efforts will largely be to ensure drinking water supply.

Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph convened an urgent meeting of officials here on Tuesday to assess the situation.

The situation was reviewed district-wise, and proposals drawn up to be placed before the Council of Ministers.

These would include a number of measures to improve drinking water supply.

The Minister said after the meeting that the defunct bore wells and tube wells would be revived to ensure drinking water supply during summer. Besides, temporary bunds would be constructed across rivers and streams to retain water.

Secretary (Irrigation) V. J. Kurien, Managing Director of Kerala Water Authority Asok Kumar Singh, and other higher officials of the Water Resources Department, and Chief Engineers of the Water Authority, Ground Water Department, and Irrigation Department attended the meeting.