Bhubaneswar: In view of the severe heatwave conditions sweeping across the state, the Odisha government on Saturday asked the Sports department to restrict outdoor sports activities from 11 am to 3 pm as a precautionary measure.
Sources said that the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) asked the Director of Sports and Youth Services to restrict outdoor sports activities in view of the heat wave conditions in the state.
“Special Relief Commissioner directed to Sports Department for strict enforcement on all outdoor sports activities from 11.00 AM to 03.00 PM during hot summer,” SRC’s office posted on X.
A letter has also been sent by the Additional SRC to the Sports department. It has come to notice of the government that outdoor game activities like cricket, football, hockey are going on during hot summer in many areas of the state, it said.
As per the IMD’s forecast, hot, humid discomfort weather condition and heatwave is likely to prevail in the state.
“Keeping in view the weather conditions, it is requested to take precautionary measures and restrict all outdoor game activities like cricket, football, hockey during hot summer. Strict enforcement shall be made on the restrictions of all outdoor sports activities stated above,” the letter said.
The office of the SRC has also advised people to take precautionary measures while going outside during the day time between 11 am to 3 pm.
While state capital Bhubaneswar recorded a maximum temperature of 43.5 degree Celsius on Friday, the mercury had also touched 42 degree Celsius in several places of the state.