Bhubaneswar, May 16: A suspected heat wave-related death has been reported from Odisha’s Balangir district, marking the only such case from the state so far this summer, according to Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari. No other districts have reported similar incidents.
Minister Pujari emphasized that the state government is giving top priority to achieving “zero casualty” amid the ongoing heat wave conditions. He noted that the number of deaths in previous years was significantly higher. For instance, during the tenure of the previous government, Jharsuguda district alone had recorded 26 deaths due to extreme heat.
“In contrast, no such fatalities have been reported from Jharsuguda or any other district this year, apart from the suspected case in Balangir,” Pujari said.
The minister credited strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enhanced public awareness campaigns for the improved situation. He assured that comprehensive advance preparations have been undertaken by the government to deal with the heatwave.
