Govt Alerts Field-Level Officials About Preparation For Heatwave In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: With heatwave weeping the state for second day, chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra on Thursday reviewed the preparedness on the part of officials at the field-level for mitigating any heat-related situation.

At the state-level committee meeting held on digital mode, the chief secretary directed the officials to verify the field-level arrangements and keep the system ready. The issues like drinking water supply, maintenance of the tube-wells, advance storing of heat stroke medicines in hospitals, treatment of heat stroke patients, supply of water in canals, advance dissemination of information regarding heat wave, ground level vigil and action for prevention of forest fire were discussed at the meeting.

Mahapatra directed to raise check dams using sand-packs in small streams, and water vats near tube-wells and sanitary wells for the stray animals and birds. He also urged the people to keep water pots in front of their houses for the animals.

He directed to undertake extensive awareness activities both in rural and urban areas involving NGOs, people’s committees, SHGs, panchayati raj bodies and community leaders.

Development Commissioner and Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena said the preparations for facing the heat wave situation has been started from February. The action plan and specific guidelines have been issued to the departments concerned.

The issues relating to changes in school timings, arrangements for labourers working under sun, water and first aid provision in buses were also discussed.

Senior officials of departments concerned participated in the deliberations.