Steps being taken to mitigate heat impact on Pooram

Thrissur: Soring mercury levels in state has become a major concern for the district administration and organisers of Thrissur Pooram, which is expected to be attended by nearly 20 lakh people, on April 26. According to India meteorological department officials, though scattered rains and thunderstorms are expected on days preceding Pooram, the temperature on that day is likely to be above 35Celsius. Besides health concerns of the large number of people expected to assemble in Thrissur, authorities and organisers are concerned about the impact of rising temperature on the elephants to be paraded. There are also concerns over stocking and transporting fireworks.District collector Sikha Surendran convened a meeting of officials from various departments on Friday to discuss precautionary measures to be undertaken for Pooram. Officials of departments of disaster management, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization (PESO), Thrissur corporation, women and child welfare, district administration, Cochin Devaswom Board and representatives of Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu Devaswoms attended the meeting. The collector directed the officials to ensure that Pooram participants didn't suffer from dehydration and other health issues. Shades to prevent direct exposure to solar rays must be made available at all possible points. Facilities like ambulances must be made available to take Pooram fans who develop any health issues to hospitals. Special arrangements must be made to enable disabled people to watch Pooram.Elephants must be provided with feed like watermelon, and there must be measures to frequently wet the ground on which the elephants will be standing, the collector said.