Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conducted a review yesterday at Lok Seva Bhawan regarding the preparations to tackle the ongoing heatwave in the state.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister informed all District Collectors and Secretary-level officers from various departments that the heatwave had arrived early this year, and several districts were experiencing high temperatures. Although the Meteorological Department has predicted a temperature drop in the coming days, he emphasized the need for caution. He directed District Collectors to implement the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the government to combat the heatwave. Additionally, he advised them to take necessary actions beyond the SOP wherever required.
The Chief Minister stressed the importance of working with a “zero casualty” approach. He highlighted that shade and water are the most crucial measures to prevent heatstroke. He advised authorities to set up shaded tents and drinking water kiosks at traffic intersections in urban areas and at bus stands in rural areas. He also emphasized the need for extensive awareness campaigns through TV, radio, newspapers, and social media to educate people about heatwave precautions.
To ensure children’s safety, the Chief Minister directed the department to issue an SOP immediately to shift school timings to morning hours as soon as possible. Similarly, he instructed that Anganwadi centers should operate from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM.
Addressing drinking water issues, he stated that the Panchayati Raj Department has approved over 17,000 tube wells. He instructed District Collectors to ensure the installation and repair of tube wells within a week to prevent water shortages. He also advised identifying areas facing drinking water scarcity and making arrangements for borewells and tube wells accordingly.
Regarding labor welfare, he directed the concerned department to issue orders to suspend outdoor work for laborers between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM in both government and private sectors.
Focusing on power supply during the heatwave, the Chief Minister strictly instructed the Energy Department to ensure no power cuts occur between 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM. He also warned against unannounced power outages and urged officials to be proactive in maintaining an uninterrupted power supply during thunderstorms. He suggested that major meetings and committees be scheduled during the morning or afternoon instead of peak hours and advised briefing MPs and MLAs about the situation.
Additionally, he warned about the risk of wildfires in rural areas due to extreme heat and instructed the Fire Department to remain alert. He directed government officials to visit the affected areas, and District Collectors themselves should actively monitor the situation on the ground.
To address public grievances effectively, the district grievance hearing timings should be changed to 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM, he ordered.
In conclusion, the Chief Minister assured that the government has both the willpower and financial resources to handle the situation. He expressed confidence that with everyone’s cooperation, the government can successfully manage the heatwave with a “zero casualty” target.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari urged everyone to work towards this goal.
Additional Chief Secretary and Relief Commissioner Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh provided insights into the various measures taken to combat the heatwave.
The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Home Department Additional Chief Secretary Satyabrata Sahu, Director General of Police Y.B. Khurania, Chief Minister’s Additional Chief Secretary Nikuñj Bihari Dhal, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration & Public Grievance Dep…