Nine out of fourteen districts of Kerala have been declared drought-hit by Kerala government. Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan headed the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) meeting where Alappuzha, Kannur, Idukki, Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur and Wayanad districts were declared drought-hit owing to rainfall deficit, a shortfall in availability of surface water and groundwater and salt influx.
As per reports, Vijayan has asked for immediate steps to be taken for distribution of drinking water to tide over the drought situation. According to the meteorological department, there was a shortage of rainfall during 2017 north-east monsoon that sets in during October-December. The central meteorological department has also warned of acute drinking water in these districts.
It is reported that steps will be taken on urgent basis for drinking water distribution in drought-hit districts. Water kiosks will be filled with water from tankers. If funds are not available from local bodies, the money from the state disaster response fund can be utilised for the purpose. While there is no drought situation in the hilly district of Idukki, it is brought under the list as it is expected that the main resources of water may dry up as summer intensifies.
