Bhubaneswar: Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Additional Chief Secretary Revenue & disaster Management, Satyabrata Sahu today asked senior officers of various Departments to take necessary steps to ensure that no human casualty occurs due to heat wave.
ACS Shri Sahu today reviewed the heat wave condition with senior officials of concerned Departments and issued specific instructions to the Officers.
He directed the School & Mass Education and Higher Education Departments to reschedule the timing of schools on the basis of heat wave situation.
SRC Shri Sahu also advised for repair of tube wells inside the school and college campus. Sufficient ORS to be kept in schools, colleges and all outdoor activities have to be restricted.
The two departments have been directed to make availability of drinking water in schools, colleges and other academic/ technical institutions.
The Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water and Housing and Urban Development Departments were asked to identify the water scarcity pockets (village/ hamlet/ ward wise) and ensure supply of water for drinking and other uses through water tankers to those areas.
The SRC suggested to open “Paniya Jala Seva Kendras’ ‘ (drinking water kiosks)/ Jal Chhatras at market places, bus stands and other congregation points, Preventive maintenance of tube wells and piped water supply systems.
ACS Shri Sahu further suggested using the urban shelters, community buildings and other public buildings in rural and urban areas as day time shelters for homeless/ needy people for their rest during sunny days.
The Water Resources Department has been directed to release water through canals from reservoirs depending on requirement.
SRC Shri Sahu asked the Department of Women and Child Development to open Anganwadi Centres in morning hours only. Ensure availability of potable water in all AWCs and sufficient ORS packets with ASHA and AWWs, he directed.
The ACS directed the Health and Family Welfare Department to keep the Heat stroke patient room in PHC/ CHC/ DHH in readiness. Stock of life saving medicines/ saline/ ORS be ensured, he added.
The Labour Department officials asked to make provision of shelter/ drinking water in the worksites. The timing of working hours for labourers and workmen may be rescheduled on the basis of the heatwave situation, he advised.
He further suggested rescheduling bus timing considering the effect of heatwave, to avoid plying on peak hours. Provision of drinking water and first aid boxes to be made in public transport services, the ACS Sahu said at the meeting.
The Energy Department has to play a major role during the summer. He asked the Department officers to take steps for uninterrupted power supply.
Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department officials instructed to take various community awareness activities to combat forest fire and protect the wild animals during heat wave situations by involving the local communities/ Vana Surakhya Samiti/ PRI members/ SHG Group and other Committees.
He also stressed the supply of drinking water for animals in zoos or related places. The I&PR Department has been advised to supply heatwave awareness posters, leaflets, awareness campaigns on identifying the risks, “Do’s and Don’ts” to protect the human being and livestock.
During the meeting, the OSDMA has been advised to carry out awareness activities on the concept of cool roof technology i.e. white painting of roofs to reduce the indoor atmospheric temperature.
State, District and City Heat Action Plan to be updated for management of Heat Wave in the State, advised he, adding District level Orientation on Heat Wave and Heat Stress Management, the SRC Shri Sahu directed.
Notably, the day temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius at least five places including Titlagarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Bhawanipatna, and Nayagarh yesterday.