Kerala: The state’s first heat-resistant gram panchayat is expected to be Moodadi
A local organization in Kozhikode has started working to become Kerala’s first heat-resistant grama panchayat in response to the state’s intense heatwave.
With assistance from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA), the Moodadi panchayat, located near Koyilandy, began drafting a localized heat action plan for the hamlet last year.
“We asked the KSDMA for assistance in transforming the panchayat into a heat-resistant area. After many preparatory meetings in the previous year, we are now preparing a localized heat action plan. According to C K Sreekumar, president of Moodadi Grama Panchayat, “ours will be the first panchayat to do so.”
The panchayat is pursuing a number of actions to carry out its strategy, including cool-roofing, implementing carbon neutral efforts, making sectoral interventions, and heat-resilient development and construction for anganwadis, hospitals, and public buildings.
Using cool roofing, the authorities will make 30 anganwadi structures energy-efficient and heat-resistant in the first phase.
Anganwadis are given first attention by us. Following that, we’ll concentrate on public buildings and government hospitals. According to Gireesh Kumar, the panchayat secretary, “We intend to complete implementation this year.”
He noted that in addition to the existing carbon neutral project, the heat-resilient panchayat project has been included into the People’s Plan Program. The panchayat is also considering building regulations. “We intend to release the guidelines in order to provide building permit applicants with guidance on how to construct heat-resistant buildings,” said Sreekumar.
In the meanwhile, the local organization plans to establish a health monitoring system in the hamlet in collaboration with the KSDMA to provide summertime care for patients who are immobile or in need of palliative care. Health professionals will enroll in capacity-building seminars, according to a KSDMA official, so they can care for patients in need of palliative care despite the growing temperature.
These individuals are often more affected by extreme temperatures; heat-related electrolyte imbalance makes them worse. Following training, medical personnel will be qualified to provide these patients with appropriate treatment during the summer, the official said.
