Ranchi- Amid scorching heatwave conditions across Jharkhand, Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Saturday directed district administrations and government officials to ensure uninterrupted availability of drinking water for people across the state.
The Chief Minister instructed Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers, Circle Officers, Block Development Officers, Panchayat representatives and officials in all government offices to make proper arrangements for drinking water at public places and outside government establishments.
In a post shared on social media platform X, Soren said that with temperatures continuing to rise, officials must ensure that adequate drinking water facilities are available for the public and that information about such facilities is clearly displayed so that pedestrians and residents can get relief during the extreme heat.
He also directed authorities to take immediate steps in areas facing water shortages by deploying water tankers, repairing defunct hand pumps and arranging alternative water supply systems wherever necessary.
The Chief Minister stressed that no village, hamlet or locality should suffer because of a lack of drinking water and called for a sensitive and prompt administrative response during the heatwave.
“Public interest is paramount,” he said, while urging officials to work with urgency and a humane approach.
Jharkhand has been experiencing severe heatwave conditions over the past several days, with temperatures crossing 40 degrees Celsius in many districts. The state government has already issued heatwave alerts for at least six districts, while several areas have recorded temperatures nearly four degrees above normal.
According to weather forecasts, residents may get some relief later this month, as light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is expected in parts of the state between May 26 and 29.
With inputs from IANS