Bhubaneswar, 22 April (H.S.): Census operations in Odisha may be temporarily suspended if the ongoing heatwave worsens, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said on Wednesday, as the state government reviews the impact of extreme weather on field personnel.

Amid rising temperatures across the state, the minister said a review meeting has already been conducted with officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to assess the situation. He added that enumerators engaged in fieldwork may also be consulted in the coming days, depending on how weather conditions evolve.

“If the heatwave intensifies further, census operations may be paused and resumed at a later stage. The safety of government officials and the general public remains our top priority,” Pujari told reporters.

The review follows reports that several officials involved in census duties have fallen ill due to prolonged exposure to extreme heat. The department is closely monitoring developments and evaluating whether continuing field operations could pose health risks to personnel.

After initial discussions with senior officials, the government is expected to hold another round of consultations with staff directly engaged in enumeration work. Based on their feedback and the prevailing weather conditions, a decision will be taken on whether to temporarily halt field activities.

The minister also indicated that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) will be issued shortly to ensure the safety and well-being of enumerators, as the state continues to grapple with rising temperatures.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda