Odisha Govt Asks Collectors To Remain Alert For Heat Wave

Bhubaneswar: Following a forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) of a possible heat wave condition in Odisha in the next 24 hours, the state government on Sunday directed district collectors to take necessary steps in this regard.

In a letter, the managing director of Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA), PK Jena, said while the day temperature in the state has gone up sharply in the last 48 hours, the IMD has warned of heat wave in the state in the next 24 hours from Monday.

Taking this into consideration, he directed the collectors to immediately hold regular virtual review meetings at district, sub-divisional and block levels to put in place the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the heat action plan 2020 for all line departments.

He added that any delay on this matter will have serious implications on lives, livestock and livelihoods of the people which will unnecessarily compound the challenge in containing coronavirus.

Jena also asked the collectors to immediately inform him of any difficulty in this regard via WhatsApp, mobile, landline or email.