Ranchi, May 23 -- Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has issued a stern directive to state officials and district administrations to ensure the availability of drinking water for the public as several parts of the state grapple with intense heat and heatwave conditions.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister instructed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Superintendents of Police (SPs), and local administration officials to set up drinking water facilities outside government offices and at public squares.

"In view of the continuously rising heat and heatwaves in Jharkhand, all Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, Station House Officers, Circle Officers, Block Development Officers, Panchayat representatives, and all government off...