1. Heatwave in Chennai May Intensify

If you are already feeling worn out by the searing heat in the city, brace yourself as it is only going to get worse. According to predictions by the Meteorological Department, temperatures may rise even further in the coming days. On Sunday, Nungambakkam and Meenambakkam recorded 40.2 degree Celsius and 42 degree Celsius, respectively, Met officials said.

“The sky condition may be partly cloudy, but the heat wave will continue for the next two days and the temperature is likely to go up by one or two degrees,” an official said. Till June 18, heat wave conditions will prevail in isolated areas across north Tamil Nadu, including Kancheepuram, Chennai, Cuddalore, Puducherry, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Karur and Tiruchi. Severe heat wave conditions will prevail over Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore.

(Source: The Hindu)

2. 22 Districts in TN in Red Category as Groundwater Plummets

In a month’s time, three districts – Cuddalore, Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli – have recorded a decrease in groundwater levels and have been marked under the red category by the government. With these three, the number of districts with a declining trend in groundwater levels has gone up to 22 from 19 since April. From April till May 2019, the State ground and surface water resource centre recorded a dip of 0.45 metres, 0.83 metres and 0.43 metres in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Cuddalore respectively.

This is the first time since January 2018 that Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli see a dip in groundwater levels. With heat waves prevalent across the state and South West monsoon yet to bring any relief, the declining trend of groundwater levels continues steadily.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

3. Fewer Takers for Science Groups in Govt Schools

Teachers in government schools are having a tough time convincing students to join science groups. The number of students taking science has fallen by half in the last two years. Teachers say the new syllabus, which is supposed to improve the quality of education, has driven students away. A teacher from Dindigul said, “It is very difficult to encourage students to take up the bio-math group. Students are more keen on commerce and arts groups.”

The State government’s rule for schools in rural areas is to start a group if there are 15 students. “We generally admit at least 18 to 20 students in each group anticipating a few to change their mind. But now it is very difficult to even find that many students,” he said. This year, even students who had scored over 350 marks in Class 10 have not chosen science groups in his school.

(Source: The Hindu)

4. Fatal Accidents up by 5 Percent

Even though accident fatalities declined by 14 per cent across the State between January and April this year when compared to the corresponding period of the previous year, road fatalities in Chennai city are yet to see a decline. While 455 persons died in road accidents in the city in the period, the figure in the corresponding period of 2018 is 432. The fatality rate saw an increase of 5 per cent.

Incidentally, the number of accidental deaths in the State in the first four months has gone down to 3,696 from 4,299, compared to the same period of the previous year, revealed the official accident data report of the transport department. The decline in the number of mishaps and fatalities is attributed to intense awareness campaigns on road safety and other measures including infrastructure improvements by transport, police, health, highways and other law enforcing agencies.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

5. City Not Ready Yet for Zero Waste Mission

The Chennai Corporation’s proposal to develop decentralised waste processing facilities to promote a zero waste system across the city seems to have failed to take residents along.

According to estimates, less than 20% of residents in each of the 200 wards have started cooperating with the civic agency, segregating waste. The civic body has asked officials in each of the 200 wards to reduce waste sent to the Kodungaiyur and Perungudi dumpyards by 50%. But none of the wards has been able to reduce the tonnage by more than 20%. For example, ward 62 in Chintadripet has reduced the waste sent to dumpyards from 30 tonnes three months ago to 24 tonnes every day.

(Source: The Hindu)