Though the recent surge in rainfall has brought down the monsoon deficit by around 6%, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has recommended to initiate drought mitigation measures in the State. Despite above normal rainfall in September (till 17), the monsoon deficit is still hovering around 40%.
Based on rainfall assessment by the drought monitoring cell of KSDMA, the Commissioner, Disaster Management, has recommended measures such as following a ‘3R’ (Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle) approach for water security with priority accorded to villages lacking perennial water resources. District collectors are directed to assess rainfall, water availability, and temperature in the district on a daily basis and to ensure drinking water supply to places that have a short supply.
District collectors can undertake drought-risk reduction infrastructural works up to ₹2 lakh without prior governmental approval. Similarly, farmers have been urged to create rain harvesting pits and till up land and spread dried leaves over it to ensure that rainwater from the upcoming northeast monsoon penetrates into the ground and to minimise transpiration from the soil.
