"I appeal to party cadres to open drinking water and buttermilk pandals in their respective areas, immediately, in order to quench the thirst of the people," Jayalalithaa said in a statement.
She also asked the workers to visit the pandals thrice daily to ensure that the drinking water and buttermilk pots were in hygienic conditions.
'Kathiri', which commenced today, marks the start of the hottest period of summer in the state, with maximum temperatures hovering around 38-42 degrees Celsius.