"State Control Room activated for epidemic prevention amid heavy rains," says Kerala Health Minister Veena George

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], May 22 : Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Wednesday announced the activation of the State Control Room in the Health Department Directorate to bolster epidemic prevention efforts due to heavy rains. Health workers and the public can contact the control room at 0471-2302160, 9946102865, and 9946102862.
She further informed that the Control Room will manage epidemic prevention coordination, data management, hospital services, drug availability, protocols, and incident response.
Additionally, the public can reach the Disha Call Center, which has a panel of doctors, for health-related queries at 104, 1056, 0471-2552056, and 2551056. Disha's services are available 24/7. The e-Sanjeevini Doctors service is also available.
The India Meteorological Department on its official X handle informed about extreme rainfall in Kerala and issued a red alert. It posted, "Kerala and Mahe are likely to receive extremely heavy rainfall ( > 204.5 mm) on May 22, 2024 and heavy to very heavy rainfall (115.5-204.5 mm) on May 23, 2024.
A few days ago, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the southwest monsoon is likely to hit Kerala on May 31.
"Southwest monsoon normally sets in over Kerala on June 1 with a standard deviation of about seven days. This year, the southwest monsoon is likely to set in over Kerala on May 31," the IMD said in a release on May 15.
The advance of the southwest monsoon over the Indian mainland is marked by monsoon onset over Kerala and is an important indicator characterising the transition from a hot and dry season to a rainy season. As the monsoon progresses northward, relief from scorching summer temperatures is experienced over the areas, it had added.