Chennai: The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) has set up a 3,000-litre water ATM at its heat stress study site in Perungudi, enabling residents to collect 20-litre cans of drinking water for Rs 5.
The facility was inaugurated on Saturday as part of MSSRF’s ongoing four-year study on the impact of heat on physical and mental health across four sites in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Perungudi and Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai are the two study sites in Tamil Nadu while Sirwar in Raichur and Challakere in Chitradurga are the sites in Karnataka.
Dr Mohan Kumar, director, health systems and nutrition, MSSRF, said access to drinking water was repeatedly raised as a concern during field visits. The foundation plans to explore setting up similar water ATMs at its other study locations.
The study is examining heat exposure, heat-related illnesses, coping mechanisms, mental health and the preparedness of health systems to respond to extreme heat.
MSSRF chairperson Dr Soumya Swaminathan said the water ATM was the foundation’s first intervention aimed at addressing an immediate community need alongside its research.
The inauguration also featured an exhibition of photographs by local youngsters documenting how heat affects water access, nutrition, food choices and livelihoods. The event included a street play, a Silambam performance, prize distribution and tree planting.
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