Thrissur Pooram: Buttermilk, drinking water, stretchers... arrangements in place to battle summmer heat

Usually, 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh people gather to watch the Kudamattam ceremony. Drinking water and medical services would be ensured for these persons. Representative image/Manorama

It is estimated that this year, 25% more people than last year would arrive to watch Thrissur Pooram. An emergency meeting convened by the district administration decided to make elaborate safety arrangements for Thrissur Pooram in view of the severe summer.

The Collector issued directives to different departments to put in place more precautionary measures and security steps. The meeting of officials and Devaswom office-bearers was conducted under the chairmanship of Collector V.R. Krishna Teja and City Police Commissioner Ankit Ashokan in the context of the rising temperatures.

The Collector said that this time around, security arrangements would be made by dividing the crowd into compartments instead of taking the gathering as one whole. Usually, 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh people gather to watch the Kudamattam ceremony. Drinking water and medical services would be ensured for these persons.
· The corporation must ensure sufficient supply of drinking water to the people who arrive to watch the Pooram and the officials on duty.
· Last year, drinking water was supplied from 50 spots. This time, it will be from 100 points.

· 100 drinking water taps will be set up where there were 50 taps the last time.
· The corporation used to set up seven taps at the Thrissur Round. This will be made 15 this time.
· Taps and supply of drinking water by voluntary organisations will be available at the Round and in the city.
· While the corporation had supplied 15,000 litres of buttermilk last year, this time, it will supply 30,000 litres.

· The Paramekkavu Devaswom will supply buttermilk and drinking water at eight points in areas near Paramekkavu where people normally wait for about three hours to watch Kudamattam.

· Supply of buttermilk and drinking water in packets is also under consideration.
· There is also a plan to supply glucose in sachets.
· One hundred stretchers of the Fire and Rescue Services will be kept ready.
· While there were 20 ambulances the last time, there will be 37 of them this time. This includes two which have the most advanced life-saving facilities.

Attention
Make sure you carry bottled water and to wear caps. Wear light coloured and loose fitting cotton clothes, which are suitable for hot weather. The precautions issued by the Disaster Relief Force should be followed.

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