IMD predicts heat wave-like situation, SRC alerts Collectors

With the IMD forecasting heat wave-like situation across Odisha for a week, the state Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) today put all the district collectors on alert and asked them to monitor the situation on a daily basis.
"The SRC in urgent letters to all the 30 district collectors has asked to ensure that the existing guidelines to beat heat are followed sincerely," Deputy SRC Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said.
As per the instruction given to the district collectors, the SRC has asked them to ensure that no labourer is subjected to any kind of hard work between 11 am to 3.30 pm during the scorching heat.

The SRC also reminded the district collectors that all arrangements need to be readied in hospitals to treat heat wave affected. Besides, the SRC also told the district administration to ensure that the passenger buses plying during the day time need to carry drinking water.
"This apart, the SRC has also said in the letters that the district administration will ensure repair of all defunct tubewells and ensure smooth supply of drinking water through pipelines," Mohapatra, said adding that charitable water distribution centres need to be opened in all the urban pockets.
Meanwhile, the IMD reiterated its forecast and issued a fresh release saying that heat wave conditions may prevail over some parts of interior Odisha and north coastal areas of the stare in the next 48 hours.

"The high temperature and heat wave conditions are due to dry and hot winds from north-west parts of India towards Odisha coast in addition to clear sky conditions here," said Sarat Chandra Sahu, the Director of IMD, Bhubaneswar.
Cyclonic circulation over east-central Bay of Bengal and subsequent formation of low pressure there in 48 hours favoured the continuation of flow of dry and hot north-westerly winds through the Odisha coast, Sahu pointed out.
Meanwhile, normal life continued to remain affected as mercury level rose across the state. While two places of the state recorded 44 degrees Celsius yesterday, a total of 12 places experienced temperature above 40 degrees Celsius.