No Respite From Heat Wave Conditions In State For Next Five Days

Bhubaneswar: The heat wave condition in Odisha is likely to prevail over the next five days as the Meteorological department has predicted rise in temperatures by three to four degrees in various places of Odisha. All places including interior Odisha and coastal districts will witness rise in the temperatures up to three to five degrees from normal levels. The MET has said due to Northwesterly/westerly dry air and high solar insolation, Maximum temperature is very likely to rise further by three to four degrees over the districts of interior Odisha during the next four to five days. It has also issued yellow warning to four districts Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj, Balasore and Keonjhar for heat wave conditions for the next 24 hours. Likewise, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Anugul, Boudh are also likely to witness higher temperatures in the next two days.

The MET has also advised that people should not venture outside unnecessarily and remain indoors between 11 am and 3 pm. On the other hand the Government of Odisha has taken the steps to mitigate the impact of heat wave. Odisha Special Relief Commissioner has written a letter to all collectors to stay prepared and take steps in view of the rise in temperatures. The focus will be on zero casualty.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday reviewed the situation in the state with senior officers. He directed the administration particularly Panchayat Raj & Drinking Water Department, Housing & Urban Development Department and Energy Department to start preparedness to meet the situation. The Chief Minister directed the concerned authorities to ensure smooth supply of drinking water both in urban and rural areas with special focus on water scarcity pockets. He also directed the Energy Dept. to ensure continuous power supply to meet demands during heat wave conditions.

In view of intense heat wave condition, Anganwadis and all schools both government and private up to 10th will remain closed from today till 16th of April. Naveen also advised the administration to keep in touch with various professional Met Agencies to collect information about Monsoon and prepare advanced planning accordingly.