Bhubaneswar, 12 March (H.S.): The Odisha government has taken proactive steps to address the ongoing heatwave conditions and prevent heatstroke, with the Energy Department directed to ensure an uninterrupted power supply, informed Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.

Replying to a question raised by MLA Sitanshu Sekhar Mohapatra in the Assembly, Pujari stated that heatwave action plans are being prepared for 31 urban areas, with 10 plans already finalized. Similar preparedness measures are in place across 30 districts and twin cities. Control rooms have been established at both state and district levels to monitor and respond effectively. He added that the 16th Finance Commission has recommended including heatwaves in the national disaster list.

Key measures outlined by the Minister include ensuring the availability of drinking water at bus stands, markets, and other public places; repairing and maintaining hand pumps and tube wells; and stocking essential medical supplies such as life-saving medicines, saline, and ORS packets at health centres.

Additional steps include adjusting employee working hours to avoid peak heat periods, providing cool drinking water and ORS packets to labourers, raising public awareness about heatwave prevention through pamphlets and banners, setting up 24-hour control rooms at district and state levels, and deploying doctors and paramedical staff to treat heat-related illnesses.

Pujari also highlighted that the government has classified heatwave as a state-specific disaster. Families of individuals who succumb to heatstroke will receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 from the State Disaster Relief Fund, as part of the government’s relief measures.

These initiatives aim to mitigate the impact of extreme temperatures and ensure public safety during the peak summer months in Odisha.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda