Bhubaneswar, April 28: Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday outlined the state government’s preparedness to tackle the ongoing heatwave conditions across Odisha. He noted that the administration has made dedicated arrangements to address the situation, attributing the extreme weather to broader patterns of global climate change.
The minister said the government has been holding frequent discussions with district collectors of all 30 districts to monitor the situation and coordinate response measures.
As part of preventive steps, the government has advised citizens to avoid stepping out between 11 AM and 3 PM. Restrictions have also been recommended on the movement of goods transport vehicles as well as two-wheelers and four-wheelers during these peak hours. Labourers have been urged to refrain from working under direct sunlight in this period.
Additionally, the Panchayati Raj and Urban Development departments have been directed to set up water distribution points across affected areas. Health facilities, including PHCs and CHCs, have been equipped with special arrangements to treat heatstroke cases.
The state government, in coordination with the Disaster Management Department, is also considering the establishment of “Heat Wave Relief Centres.” These centres will initially be set up in regions most affected by the heatwave and later expanded across the state.
