Bhubaneswar: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu warned strong legal action contractors and other agencies who will engage workers during peak summer hours (11 AM to 3 PM).
The SRC has issued this warning following alleged sunstroke deaths of 12 persons in Sundargarh and 6 cases in Jharsuguda. Post Mortem is being conducted after that cause of the death shall be ascertained.
Briefing media persons here, SRC Shri Sahu said during preliminary investigation, it was found that many of these people were working during the peak hours. If any contractor or agency found violating it, strong action will be taken as per provision of Odisha Disaster Management Act, he warned.
“Heatwave conditions are prevailing in Sambalpur, Balangir, Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal etc. We have instructed the Collectors in these districts to take precautions and spread awareness about not being out in the sun. We are monitoring the situation closely,” Sahu said.
He said that 19 stations (Jharsuguda, Titlagarh, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Malkangiri, Sonepur, Bhawanipatna, Bolangir, Hirakud, Rourkela, Nuapada, Boudh, Sundargarh, Phulbani, Angul, Talcher, Keonjhar, Paralakhemundi and Rayagada) recorded highest day temperature above 40 degrees Celsius and the heat wave situation may continue for next five days.
Therefore, he advised the public to take precautionary measures for hot weather while going outside during peak hours of the day (around 11 AM -3 PM) and avoid prolonged heat exposure.
The SRC also advised people to cover their head, use a wet cloth, hat or umbrella while going out during peak hours.
“Drink sufficient water even if not feeling thirsty to avoid dehydration. Use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), sugarcane juice, lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to re-hydrate the body,” he suggested.
He asked District Collectors to do miking, advising people on heat wave precautions and keeping hospitals in readiness.
“Advise no work during 11 AM to 3 PM. Ask all buses to carry drinking water, ORS and ice cubes with them. Ask people to use shoes, chappals and umbrellas and carry water and all other measures,” the SRC told the District Magistrates.
As on date, five sunstroke death confirmed (Balasore-1, Dhenkanal-1, Mayurbhanj-1, Sonepur-1 and Bolangir-1).