Bhubaneswar: A high-level review meeting on the heat wave prevailing across Odisha on Thursday directed rescheduling of public transport services during severe heat wave condition avoiding their plying during peak hours of heat wave. The meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Pramila Malik also directed the concerned authorities to take necessary steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
The meeting said that Jal Chhatras have been opened in strategic locations like market places, bus stands and crowded places in rural and urban areas. Besides, arrangement for drinking water supply through tanker has been made in water scarcity areas. Panchayati Raj & DW Department has been directed to immediately start Preventive maintenance of tube wells and piped water supply systems, if not already taken up.
It further directed stocking sufficient life-saving medicines, saline, ORS packets in dispensaries, PHCs, CHCs and Subdivision/ district headquarters hospitals have been stocked to meet the requirement. Besides, special arrangement has been made and separate wards/ beds have been earmarked for treatment of heat stroke patients in hospitals.
The Fisheries & ARD departments have been directed to make provision for construction/ repair of shallow vats for stray animals/ roaming livestock. Various community awareness activities have been taken to combat forest fire and protect the wild animals during heat wave situation by involving the local communities/ Vana Surakhya Samiti/ PRI members/SHG groups and other committees.
In view of the heat wave condition across Odisha, the state government has decided to close all schools (both government and private) and Anganwadi centres till April 16, 2023. Morning office from 7.00 am to 1.00 pm started from April 10, the meeting informed. Working hours for labourers has been rescheduled and there will be no working hours during the peak period from 11.00 am to 3.00 am.
Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Pricipal Secretaries of various departments, Regional Director IMD and other senior officers attended the meeting.
