Odisha Elections 2024: SRC Releases Heat Wave Contingency Plan, Asks Collectors to Take Necessary Measures

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu on Monday released the Heat Wave Contingency Plan for General Elections 2024 to be held in the State.

In a letter, the SRC asked Collectors of all districts to take mitigation, preparedness and response measures to tackle the heat wave conditions.

According to the Office of Special Relief Commissioner Odisha, with the announcement of General Elections 2024 by the Election Commission of India, the Joint Secretary, NDMA, MHA, has communicated to have effective heat wave management in the State.

During this period, there may be extreme heatwave conditions which challenge to health and conduct of the election. The IMD has issued a seasonal outlook on temperature and rainfall for the hot weather season from March to May 2024. The maximum temperature is most likely to prevail over most of the parts of the State.

The SRC advised the Collectors to follow daily bulletins issued by the IMD during the Summer Season for appropriate actions and also to take mitigation, preparedness and response measures.

Heatwave mitigation measures involve multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional administrative approaches such as provisioning of drinking water, temporary shelter, rescheduling of working hours, rescheduling of the timing of schools/ public educational institutions and providing better medical emergency services and public health, etc. to reduce the negative impact of extreme heatwave conditions.

Being an election year, several rallies are going to be held and proactive measures need to be taken with the help of concerned line Departments, the Odisha SCR wrote that detailed instructions have been communicated in the letter on preparedness and precautionary measures to be taken to tackle the heat wave conditions.

“Your attention is highly required for effective heat wave management in your district. Any untoward situation shall be brought before the undersigned for immediate intervention,” the letter reads.