Bhubaneswar, March 18 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday asked all departments to work towards a ‘zero casualty’ target during the summer session this year.
Majhi during a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday directed the officials to ensure that preventive measures are effectively implemented across the state to mitigate the effects of heatwave.
The CM assessed the state’s preparedness for the impending heatwave during the meeting which was attended by all District Collectors and senior officials from various departments.
Highlighting that the heatwave has arrived earlier than expected this year, the Chief Minister stressed the need to take proactive measures to prevent casualties and mitigate its impact. He directed officials to implement the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for heatwave management and advised District Collectors to take additional steps beyond the SOP where necessary.
Chief Minister Majhi has directed the officials to immediately shift school timings to morning hours and issue an SOP in this regard without delay. He has also instructed them to carry out large-scale awareness campaigns through television, radio, newspapers, and social media to educate the public on heatwave precautions.
The officials have been directed to set up temporary shades and drinking water kiosks at traffic intersections and bus stands in both urban and rural areas. The Panchayati Raj Department has approved over 17,000 tube wells across the state. The District Collectors have been instructed by the Chief Minister to ensure the installation and repair of all tube wells within a week to prevent water shortages.
As per a press note issued by the state government, areas facing acute drinking water shortages should be identified, and immediate arrangements for borewells and tube wells should be made.
CM Majhi during the meeting directed the concerned departments to prohibit outdoor labour between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. to protect workers from extreme heat exposure during the peak hours. He ordered that no power cuts should occur between 11:00 am and 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 pm-6:00 a.m. to provide relief during peak heat hours.
The Energy Department was instructed in the review meeting to ensure preparedness during thunderstorms to prevent electricity disruptions. Due to the increased risk of wildfires in rural areas during the summer season, the Fire Department has been directed to remain vigilant.
It was decided during the meeting that state government officials would be deployed in affected areas, and District Collectors would personally oversee heatwave mitigation efforts. The state government has decided to carry out the grievance hearings at district levels during morning hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) to ensure citizens' concerns are addressed efficiently.
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