Odisha CM Reviews Heatwave Preparedness, Directs Officials to Ensure Zero Casualty

Bhubaneswar: Amid soaring temperatures across Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi held a high-level meeting at the Lok Seva Bhavan to assess the state’s preparedness to tackle the ongoing heatwave. District collectors and senior officials from various departments attended the meeting, where the Chief Minister emphasized the need for proactive measures to ensure public safety.

Recognizing that the heatwave has arrived earlier than usual this year, Majhi stressed the importance of following the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by the government and taking additional steps if necessary. He urged district collectors to prioritize a “zero casualty” approach, emphasizing that providing shade and drinking water was crucial in preventing heat-related illnesses.

To mitigate the impact of extreme heat, the Chief Minister directed the installation of tents and water kiosks at urban traffic junctions and rural bus stands. He also ordered an intensive public awareness campaign through television, radio, newspapers, and social media to educate people about heatstroke prevention.

Focusing on student safety, Majhi instructed the concerned department to issue an SOP for shifting school timings to early morning hours. Similarly, Anganwadi centers will now function between 7 AM and 9 AM to minimize children’s exposure to the heat.

To address potential water scarcity, the Chief Minister announced that over 17,000 new tube wells have been approved for installation under the Panchayati Raj Department. District collectors have been given a one-week deadline to ensure the installation and repair of tube wells in affected areas.

In a move to protect workers, both in government and the private sector, Majhi directed that laborers should be given a break from 11 AM to 3 PM, the hottest part of the day. He also ordered the Energy Department to ensure uninterrupted power supply between 11 AM and 5 PM, and from 9 PM to 6 AM to help residents cope with the intense heat. Officials were strictly warned against unannounced power cuts and were advised to take preventive measures to avoid outages during thunderstorms.

The Chief Minister further instructed that all public meetings and events be scheduled for early morning or late afternoon to reduce heat exposure. He urged MPs and MLAs to be made aware of the heatwave precautions so that they could help in spreading awareness among the people.

Given the heightened risk of fires during summer, Majhi directed the Fire Services Department to stay on high alert, particularly in rural areas. He also instructed district collectors to deploy officials to villages for heatwave-related monitoring and relief efforts. Grievance redressal hearings at the district level are now required to conclude by 10 AM to avoid peak heat hours.

Assuring full government support, Majhi said there would be no shortage of funds or resources in tackling the crisis. He expressed confidence that with coordinated efforts, Odisha would successfully manage the heatwave without casualties.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari urged officials to remain vigilant and ensure swift action to protect lives. Special Relief Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh provided updates on the various steps taken to combat the heatwave.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrat Sahu, DGP Y.B. Khurania, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Nikunj Bihari Dhal, and senior officials from multiple departments. District collectors participated via video conferencing.

With temperatures continuing to rise, the state government has stepped up its efforts to minimize the impact of the heatwave and ensure public safety through immediate and long-term measures.