Odisha: Various Directives Issued to Combat Heat Wave Situation in State

•  Working Hours for Labourers Rescheduled
• Timings of Public Transport Services Rescheduled
• No Working Hours during Peak Period from 11 AM to 3 PM

Bhubaneswar: Review Meeting chaired by the Chairmanship of Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Malik was held on heat wave. Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Principal Secretaries of various Departments, Regional Director IMD and other senior officers were present in the meeting. Various directives are issued to combat the heat wave situation in the State.

Jal Chhatras have been opened in strategic locations like market places, bus stands and crowded places in rural and urban areas. Besides, arrangement for supply of drinking water through tanker has been made in water scarcity areas. Panchayati Raj & DW Department has been directed to immediately start Preventive maintenance of tube wells and piped water supply systems, if not already taken up.

Sufficient life saving medicines, saline, ORS packets in dispensaries, PHCs, CHCs and Subdivision/District Headquarters Hospitals have been stocked to meet the requirement. Besides, Special arrangement has been made and separate wards/ beds have been earmarked for treatment of heat stroke patients in hospitals.

It has been directed to reschedule timings of public transport services during severe heat wave condition avoiding their plying during peak hours of heat wave. Necessary steps have been taken for providing uninterrupted power supply. Fisheries & ARD Departments have been directed to make provision for Construction/ repair of shallow vats for stray animals/ roaming livestock. Various Community awareness activities have been taken to combat forest fire and protect the wild animals during heat wave situation by involving the local communities/ Vana Surakhya Samiti/ PRI members/ SHG Group and other Committees.

Keeping in view intense Heat-wave condition across the State, the State Government have

decided to close all Schools (both Government and Private) and Anganwadi centres till 16th April, 2023. Morning office from 7 AM to 1 PM started from 10.04.2023. Working hours for labourers has been rescheduled. No working hours during the peak period from 11 AM to 3 PM.