Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, May 21: Acting on the forecast of the Met department that the heatwave would prevail across the state till May 25, the Special Relief Commissioner Thursday asked all district collectors to be on alert and monitor the situation on a daily basis.
SRC GVV Sarma has written letters to all collectors in this regard asking them to ensure implementation of the existing guidelines issued by the SRC to beat heatwave, deputy SRC Pravat Ranjan Mohapatra said here.
As per the instructions given to the district collectors, the SRC has asked them to ensure no labourer is subjected to hard work between 11 am to 3.30 pm when the sun is at its harshest.
The SRC also reminded the district collectors that all arrangements need to be readied in hospitals to treat heatwave victims.
The collectors have been asked to ensure uninterrupted supply of drinking water to areas where there is acute scarcity of water and repair of all defunct tube wells and pipelines. Collectors have been advised to open charitable water distribution centres (jala chhatras) in urban areas.
District administrations have also been asked to ensure passenger buses plying during the daytime carry drinking water.
Cuttack sizzles at 39° C
Residents of the Silver City had a harrowing time Thursday when mercury touched 39°C accompanied by rising humidity. Roads in Badambadi, Ranihaat, Buxi Bazaar and other areas of the city wore a deserted look by 10am and most of the shops remained closed due to the extreme heatwave conditions. Many residents of the city have meanwhile complained of low voltage and load shedding. Frequent power cuts in certain areas were also reported. People were seen moving towards Kathajodi and Mahanadi rivers hoping they would get respite from the heat.