IMD Forecasts Harsh Summer For Vizag, Slum Dwellers Worst Hit
CMO of GVMC Public Health department K. Naresh Kumar said an action plan has been launched with a special focus on slums
Visakhapatnam: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a harsh summer this year. The worst affected will be the 8.21 lakh people who live in slums spread all over Visakhapatnam city. “There will be water shortage and unscheduled power cuts in the slums. Children and elderly might face health problems due to poor sanitation and rising temperatures,’’ said B. Ganga Rao, corporator of Steel Township and senior CPM leader of Vizag city.
Talking to this correspondent on Tuesday, Ganga Rao said people are already facing water shortage in some slums. The shortage may be more as the summer reaches its peak. The corporator said the city has only 72 urban health centres (UHCs), whereas the requirement is 175 as per the population. “All adults go out for work leaving behind children and elderly with no help. Most UHCs close at 5 p.m. when people return from work and look for hospitals. This compounds our problem,’’ said Nookaratnam, who works as a domestic help.
Allaying fears of the CPM leader, executive engineer (EE) of GVMC Water Supply department K. Sudhakar said every home in the recognised slums has been provided with tap connection. Sudhakar asserted that there would be no shortage of water till August this year. He said 150 water tankers would be deployed in slums, where people do not get water. The GVMC EE informed that only merged villages in Anandapuram do not have tap connections. These will be serviced by tankers. He said there are 8,224 borewells functioning in the city. Technicians are available round the clock in case there is any problem.
Chief medical officer (CMO) of GVMC Public Health department K. Naresh Kumar said an action plan has been launched with a special focus on slums. He said 198 drinking water dispensing centres are being established all over the city, where water mixed with ORS will be served. Similarly, 52 green shelters are being provided all over the city, where people can escape the hot sun. “We will establish medical camps if necessary,’’ the CMO added.
