Mangaluru: Minister in-charge of Dakshina Kannada district Dinesh Gundu Rao has asked the authorities concerned to make preparations to deal with possible drinking water problems for the people of the district this summer.

Addressing a meeting with officers in the district at the Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangaluru on Saturday to discuss water supply during summer, the minister said, "Dakshina Kannada is currently facing no drinking water shortage. But we should empower ourselves to effectively handle any water-related problem in future, in addition to the precautionary measures that are in place to prevent water problems in the district."

Referring to the sources of water for Dakshina Kannada, Dinesh Gundu Rao said that the level of water in the minor dams across the district being satisfactory was heartening, given that summer was round the corner. Reminding the officers that drinking water is to be given priority, when it comes to water supply, he stressed that the administration could not afford to be laidback if the people struggled for drinking water supply but would have to take immediate action to solve the problem.

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The minister added, "If necessary, we will draw water from the AMR Dam across River Nethravathi. The major industrial projects of the district like Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) and Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) should also cooperate with the people of the district, if a major water shortage."

Dinesh Gundu Rao said that Dakshina Kannada had been allocated Rs 3 crore under the drought relief fund. "The state government will provide additional funds if necessary," the minister assured at the meeting.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. K Anand, Additional Deputy Commissioner Santhosh Kumar and Mangaluru City Corporation Commissioner Anand were among the officers who attended the meeting.

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Kochi (PTI): A medical student died after falling from the seventh floor of the hostel building of a private medical college here, police on Sunday said.

Fathimath Shahana K was a second-year MBBS student of the Sree Narayana Institute of Medical Sciences in Chalakka here, they added.

The incident occurred at 11 pm on Saturday.

The initial investigation suggested that she accidentally slipped from the corridor of the seventh floor of the building. However a detailed inquiry and inquest proceedings are underway, they added.

Following the incident, the police have reached the spot and launched a probe.

A case has been registered for unnatural death, police said.