Udupi:  District In-charge Secretary Maheshwar Rao directed the officials to take precautionary measures to check the impending drinking water problems in the district.

Addressing officials at the district-level meeting in DC office on Wednesday, he said the Udupi Municipal area experienced severe water crisis during previous
summer.

He instructed the CMC commissioner to ensure that there was sufficient water until the end of May.

Before taking a decision on water rationing, the officer should discuss the issue with deputy commissioner, he added.

Udupi Deputy Commissioner Jagadeesh said that an app was developed to supply drinking water through tankers in rural areas. The tahsildars were trained on the usage of the app.

The district in-charge secretary stressed the need to set up a call centre to respond to the grievances on water. He directed horticulture and agriculture departments to convince farmers residing on river banks to adopt drip irrigation instead of river water for farming
activities.

The deputy commissioner should convene a meeting in this regard, he advised. All measures should be taken to control vector and water borne diseases.

He said that high level awareness should be created to prevent spread of malaria. The officials should support the value addition of waste like used tender coconuts. The empty tender coconuts thrown all over become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. He said the department should tap corporate social responsibility funds to procure dialysis equipment. There is an increasing demand for dialysis in the district. Already 90 are undergoing treatment and another 50 are in the waiting list.

He reviewed the tourism-related projects and directed officials to instal lights at Padukere beach, complete pending construction works at Kaup lighthouse. He also emphasised on field visits which will expose officials to the grim
realities.