Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Udupi, Apr 8: With temperatures rising steadily across coastal districts this summer, Udupi Deputy Commissioner Swaroopa T K has urged the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions against extreme heat conditions.
Chairing a meeting of the District Disaster Management Authority held at the DC office in Rajathadri, Manipal on Tuesday, she highlighted the increasing intensity of heat and warned of health risks such as dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
She advised the public to follow precautionary measures issued by the district administration to safeguard themselves from heat-related illnesses. Direct exposure to extreme heat could adversely affect health, she cautioned.
The DC instructed health department officials to ensure adequate stock of ORS and other essential medicines at all health centres to prevent heat-related ailments. She also directed authorities to provide clean drinking water facilities in crowded places such as markets, bus stands, and railway stations.
Emphasising preparedness, she said necessary steps should be taken in advance in areas likely to face drinking water shortages during summer. She added that there is currently no shortage of fodder for cattle in the district, with sufficient stock available across all taluks for the next 39 weeks.
Warning of increased fire hazards during summer, she instructed officials to conduct regular inspections of fire safety systems in hospitals, industries, and public places. She stressed the need for preparedness to respond swiftly to fire incidents.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the delay in conducting fire safety audits in public places as directed in the previous meeting, she instructed fire department officials to complete the audits and submit reports without further delay.
She also directed taluk-level task force committees to hold regular meetings and take preventive measures to avoid drinking water shortages. A district-level committee has been formed under her chairmanship to respond to oil spill incidents, and members have been asked to stay prepared with action plans.
Additional deputy commissioner Abid Gadyal, ASP Sudhakar Nayak, zilla panchayat deputy secretary S S Kadrolli, assistant commissioner Rashmi, municipal commissioner Mahanthesh Hangaragi, along with various district-level officers and tahsildars, were present at the meeting.
Prioritising drinking water supply, the DC instructed officials to ensure there is no disruption in supply for both people and livestock in urban and rural areas. In wards and villages likely to face shortages, borewells should be identified and water supplied through them and via tankers.
She also stressed the need to prevent supply of contaminated drinking water and directed that regular water quality tests be conducted.
Swaroopa T K further said that awareness about the ill effects of extreme heat and preventive measures should be spread among urban and rural populations through posters, banners, and jingles to protect public health.