Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren directs officials to ensure drinking water arrangements amid rising heatwave
Ranchi, May 23
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has issued a stern directive to state officials and district administrations to ensure the availability of drinking water for the public as several parts of the state grapple with intense heat and heatwave conditions.
In a post on X, the Chief Minister instructed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and local administration officials to set up drinking water facilities outside government offices and at public squares.
"In view of the continuously rising heat and heatwaves in Jharkhand, all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers, Circle Officers, Block Development Officers, Panchayat representatives, and all government offices are directed to ensure proper arrangements for drinking water for the general public outside their offices and at public places, and to prominently display clear information about the same, so that pedestrians and the general public can get relief," CM Soren stated.
Emphasising the need for a swift response to water scarcity, the Chief Minister further directed the district heads to ensure that no locality faces a shortage of water.
"At the same time, all Deputy Commissioners shall ensure that wherever there is a water crisis, immediate water supply through tankers, repair of hand pumps, and other alternative arrangements are made. No village, hamlet, or neighbourhood should face hardship due to a shortage of drinking water - this is our collective responsibility," he added.
Stressing the importance of a "humane approach" during the weather crisis, the CM noted that the administration must prioritise public interest above all.
"In this period of intense heat, the administration must work with complete sensitivity, promptness, and a humane approach. Public interest is paramount," the post further read.
Jharkhand is expected to witness isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph on May 23 and again between May 26 and 29, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
According to the weather agency, similar weather conditions are likely to prevail over Gangetic West Bengal from May 24 to 29. Furthermore, Bihar is expected to experience these weather patterns on May 24, 28, and 29, while Odisha is likely to see rainfall and thunderstorms between May 24 and 27 as the current meteorological system influences the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step by CM Soren, but I've seen how these orders work in practice. Officers will take selfies at water coolers for the press, then nothing changes after a week. Real testing will be in the village sarpanch level implementation. Let's hope they actually fix those broken hand pumps.
It's impressive how the CM is proactively addressing climate-related issues. Here in the UK, similar warnings just end up on news tickers. The 'humane approach' emphasis is particularly touching - shows a leader who cares deeply about every citizen, whether in Ranchi or a remote village. 🌍
Baki sab theek hai, but why did it take a heatwave to remember the people? Water scarcity is an annual issue in Jharkhand, especially in Palamau and Dumka regions. Shouldn't we have permanent solutions like rainwater harvesting in all government buildings? Temporary tankers are not a long-term answer.
As someone who works in JLDL (Jharkhand Land Development), I can confirm that many panchayats lack functional hand pumps. The CM's directive to repair them is spot-on. But we also need to audit the water tankers - some private contractors just fill them from polluted ponds. Hope authorities check quality too.
Living in California where we have ongoing drought management, I appreciate how seriously the Jharkhand government is taking this. The emphasis on 'prominent display' of water facilities is clever - people need to know where to go. Hope this becomes a model for other Indian states facing similar heatwaves.
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