Heatwave alert issued for several regions of Andhra Pradesh

Philip Malcolm
Apr 16
4 min read

▲ Women using scarves to protect themselves from severe heat as the maximum temperature exceeds 100º F in Vijayawada. Right: In Visakhapatnam, a mother shields her child from the intense heat using her sari.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted severe heatwave conditions in April in several regions of Andhra, with nine located in the North Coastal region of Andhra.

Children at SFIRD's Worksite Schools in the nearby Kolluru area are at risk of suffering from severe heat stroke.The use of drinking water is limited due to insufficient supply. For other consumption needs, they rely on bore water, which is salty.

To combat the lack of water supply at the Yenadi Sangham (Dumping Yard) and at another region in Kolluru, which hit 110º F, RH and SFIRD have stared an "Access to Water" program. A water truck will deliver 4000 litres of water every week — this will give the people access to clean drinking water especially during the sweltering heatwave.

▲ The above images show the first delivery of the 4000 litres of water at the Yenadi Sangham (Dumping Yard). Each family has 2-3 blue water storage containers in which water from the weekly supply of the water truck is stored. The Care Centre facilitator Santha Kumari oversaw the water distribution at the Yenadi Sangham.

▲ Celebrating the arrival of clean drinking water at the Yenadi Sangham.

▲ The Mother and Childcare Centre seen here with facilitator, Santha Kumari, has its own supply of water. Drinking water being filled in the storage container at the center.

Along with a consistent water supply, we will also be providing cold mooru — a spiced, salty buttermilk drink, which is very popular in South Indian households that can afford this treat. It is a drink that helps keep the body cool and is loaded with probiotics which helps with gut health.

▲ Mooru contains whipped buttermilk, ginger, green chilis, shallots and mustard. Each region in South India has its own variation of this drink.

Although water covers 70% of our planet, it is easy to think there is plenty of it. However, freshwater — water that we need to drink, bathe in, irrigate our farms and fields actually is much rarer. It is a quite bewildering to note that only 3% of the world’s water is freshwater, and two-thirds of that is locked away in frozen glaciers unavailable for our use. Water shortage is real issue in these parts of India. As much as water is a fact of life, and one that is much needed, the opposite is also true. Hundreds of thousands of people die ever year in India as well as other in other parts of the world. Consequently, around 1.1 billion individuals globally do not have access to water, and 2.7 billion people experience water scarcity for at least one month each year.

As mentioned in the East Asia Forum, "Yale University’s 2022 unsafe drinking water index ranked India 141 out of 180 countries. Nearly 70 per cent of India’s water is contaminated. ... India has 18 per cent of the world’s population but only 4 per cent of its water resources, making it among the most water-stressed countries."

The lack of water also leads to poor sanitation which affects 2.4 billion people across the world, leaving them vulnerable to diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and other water-borne illnesses.

Water shortage is a huge problem. RH and SFIRD will not be able to change that situation anytime soon. But, we can bring access to water to small groups of people who might otherwise have no access to water.

▲ The Yenadi children, full of life and promises, at the Mandal Praishad Elementary School.

I leave with you one of my favorite images of the kids in Guntur. Our combined efforts, with your support, could mean that these children could be protected from deadly waterborne disease; diseases that would otherwise end a beautiful life. Instead, we look forward to seeing these children bloom and blossom into healthy individuals with amazing futures ahead of them — children that could one day change the course of history in India — if not the world!

If you would like to contribute towards the "Access to Water" program or the Mother and Childcare Centre, please click here to donate.

Water supply including delivery per month: USD $250/month ("Access to Water" program has been extended to multiple villages and worksites)
Snacks and food for children: USD $80/month
Medical supplies and supplements for mothers and children: USD $120/month
Teaching supplies: USD $160/month
Salaries for Santha Kumari and assistant: $160/month
Emergency fund for medical or other needs: $150/month