Odisha Govt Issues List Of Measures For Heatwave Preparedness To Departments

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has issued a set of measures to be taken up by different departments as part of heatwave preparedness.

In an official notification on Saturday, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu emphasised on coordination of all departments and issued necessary directions to combat the heatwave.

The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department and Housing & Urban Development Department were directed to identify the water scarcity pockets and ensure supply of drinking water through tankers.

The departments were also asked to open “Paniya Jala Seva Kendras” (Drinking Water Kiosks)/Jal Chhatras (drinking water kiosks) at market places, bus stands and other congregation points and take up preventive maintenance of tube-wells and piped water supply systems.

The SRC also issued the following directions to other departments:

• Use of urban shelters, community buildings and other public buildings in rural and urban areas as day time shelters for homeless/needy people for their rest during day time.
• Release of water through canals from reservoirs depending on requirement.
• Construction/ repair of shallow vats for stray animals/ roaming livestock.
• Availability of drinking water in schools, colleges and other academic/technical institutions. Repair of tube-wells inside the campus. Sufficient ORS to be kept in schools and colleges. Outdoor activities to be restricted. The timing of schools may be rescheduled on the basis of heatwave situation.
• Anganwadi centres may remain open in morning hours only. Availability of portable water in all AWCs must be checked and ensured. Sufficient ORS packets should also be available with ASHA and AWWs.
• Readiness of heat stroke patient room in PHC/CHC/DHH to be made. Stocking of life saving medicines/saline/ ORS be made.
• Training of all district level medical officers and medical officers of all 377 Community Health Centres on heat stress and heat wave management.
• Bus timing may be rescheduled considering the effect of heatwave and avoiding plying in peak hours. Provision of drinking water and first aid box to be made in public transport services.
• Provision of shelter/drinking water in the worksites to be made. The timing of working hours for labourers and workmen may be rescheduled on the basis of heatwave situation.
• Steps to be taken for uninterrupted power supply.