Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday directed district collectors to give utmost priority to drought-relief measures, especially supply of drinking water through tankers in all areas, till the onset of monsoon.
He made it clear that funds wouldn't be a constraint and the government was ready to provide full funds required to provide drinking water for all.
Mr Rao chaired a marathon review meeting with collectors of all districts barring Khammam, where the election code is in force, to take stock of drought and heat wave conditions in state here on Friday.
IMD-Hyderabad director Y.K Reddy was also invited to the meeting. He informed the CM that TS will receive above-normal rainfall throughout the monsoon season. Mr Reddy said that the forecast on region-wise arrival of monsoon will be released by the IMD on May 15.
The CM said since the IMD has predicted a good monsoon this year, the problem of drought, drinking and irrigation water would be resolved by June-July and collectors should focus on drought-relief measure for the entire month of May.
Mr Rao asked them to pay compensation to all heat wave victims without imposing conditions like upper age limit of 65 years.
“There are severe drought conditions across the state due to which there is acute drinking water problem and other issues. The same situation will prevail for one more month. Collectors should prepare an action plan to tackle drought for a month. They should make available ORS packets for people. Water kiosks should be set up in all main locations,” Mr Rao said.
He said the government has devised Mission Kakatiya and Mission Bhagiratha to find a permanent solution to drought in the state.
"Once these schemes are completed, there would be no drinking water problem and ground water problem in TS. We are aiming for permanent solution to drought instead of temporary measures," he said.
The short-term forecast for the next one week to 10 days was that there won't be any significant rise in the maximum temperatures and the heat wave alert has been withdrawn.
Mr Reddy said the rain and thunderstorms were likely to occur at isolated parts of the state and the maximum temperature will not cross 45 degrees.
Presently southerly wind are moving into the state which was responsible for moderate rainfall, thunderstorm activity and humidity. The temperature will not shoot up, but it will be warm, Mr Reddy said.
