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        Despite severe warning, many hotels and restaurants in the city (North Chennai) are still refusing to serve hot water to its patrons. Chennai Corporation now says it will carry out more inspections at food outlets and clamp down on those that don't serve hot water or clean food.

        Corporation Health Officer P Kuganantham said that notices have been issued to some food vendors in this regard.

        The move is aimed at preventing a possible outbreak of water-borne diseases during the rain season in Chennai. Acute diarrhoeal disorder or ADD is already reported in parts of the city.

        'I demanded hot water in a well-known hotel on Mount Road near Nandanam, but it was denied', Raghu, a customer said.

        'Just imagine the condition in small eateries and hotels', he lamented.

        'Similar complaints have been going in and around the city, but many don't want to make it as an issue', said Raj another customer at a food stall.

        But many others said they take mineral water with them when they visit a restaurant.

        A few others said that they simply take what the hotel supplies and believe drinking a small quantity of water will not affect.

        The Corporation had conducted raids on hotels that serve unhygienic food, and ran a campaign to eliminate disease threats from flies. The Corporation has also urged the public to drink only boiled water.

        A food stall in Korukkupet was sealed after health inspectors found that meals were prepared in unsanitary conditions and a few shops in Koyambedu were closed down as they failed to safely dispose rotting waste.

        Doctors suggest that water should be boiled until it is reduced to three-fourths of the original quantity. The food that is served in hotels must be hot and fruit juices should be avoided as a precaution against disease.