Bhubaneswar: With India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Tuesday forecasting severe cold wave in the state for next 2-3 days, the state government has asked the authorities to use schools buildings and community halls as night shelter for homeless.
The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), in a letter on the day, told the district collectors and municipal commissioners to open the schools, community halls and other buildings for the homeless people to take shelter and get respite from the cold wave.
Directing the officials to carry out awareness campaign to protect people and livestock from cold wave, the SRCS told them to submit the detailed report mentioning the number of buildings that can be used as night shelters and people to be accommodated.
Besides, the officials have been told to prevent movement of vehicles, particularly two-wheelers at night.
The MeT office has forecast isolated cold wave conditions in Angul, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Nayagarh, Cuttack and Khurda from 8.30 am on Wednesday to 8.30 am on Thursday.
Similar weather conditions will prevail in Kalahandi, Balangir, Nuapada, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj, in the subsequent 24 hours.
The mercury dropped below 10 degree Celsius at 19 places in the state with Daringbadi recording the season’s lowest temperature of 3.5 degree Celsius on Monday night.
Also Read: Odisha Shivers As Celsius Slips, Chill To Prevail For Next 48 Hours
