Odisha SRC Releases Heat Wave Contingency Plan for General Elections 2024

Bhubaneswar: In anticipation of the General Elections 2024, the Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has issued the Heat Wave Contingency Plan on Monday, urging all district collectors to implement mitigation, preparedness, and response measures to combat heat wave conditions.

Special Relief Commissioner & Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, addressed a letter to all district collectors outlining the Heat Wave Contingency Plan for the upcoming General Elections, 2024.

The directive follows communication from the Joint Secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), emphasizing the importance of effective heat wave management in the state during the electoral process.

With the announcement of the General Elections 2024 by the Election Commission of India, concerns have been raised regarding extreme heatwave conditions that could pose challenges to public health and the conduct of the elections. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a seasonal outlook on temperature and rainfall for the hot weather season from March to May 2024, predicting high maximum temperatures across most parts of the state.

The SRC has instructed collectors to monitor daily bulletins issued by the IMD during the summer season and undertake appropriate actions based on the forecasts. The Heat Wave Contingency Plan emphasizes multi-sectoral administrative approaches, including provisions for drinking water, temporary shelters, rescheduling of working hours, and adjustments to school timings to minimize the negative impact of extreme heatwave conditions.

Given the nature of the election year, with numerous rallies and gatherings expected, proactive measures are essential to ensure the well-being of citizens. Detailed instructions have been provided in the letter regarding preparedness and precautionary measures to address heatwave conditions effectively.