Kerala gears up for drought-like situation

Revenue Minister K P Rajendran said the state government has called a meeting of MLAs and top officials of various departments next week to prepare an action plan to face the drought situation. The government has already sanctioned Rs 5 crore for district administrations to take up drought-related works, and district collectors have been given power to take up urgent works. More funds would be sanctioned for the purpose,

he added.

Steps have also been taken to repair hand pumps across the state. Since groundwater availability in the state has been depleting over the years, recharging programmes like rain water harvesting have been launched, he said.