Bhubaneswar: Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu Wednesday directed all the district Collectors to take precautionary measures to tackle heatwave conditions. The SRC said that water scarcity is often associated with heatwave situations which needs special attention. The district administration is required to take advanced steps to identify the water scarcity pockets and prepare an action plan for ensuring supply of water for drinking and other purposes through tankers. Reports of water scarcity are to be responded to immediately. Preventive maintenance of tube wells and piped water supply systems should start immediately, if not already taken up.
In schools, colleges, and other academic/technical institutions, extra care has to be taken to ensure availability of drinking water. Parents should be sensitised to ensure that their children carry a water bottle while going to school/college. This should be adequately published to create awareness among parents. Anganwadi centres may remain open in the morning hours only. Sufficient lifesaving medicines, saline, ORS may be stored in dispensaries, PHCs, CHCs, and subdivision/district headquarters hospitals to meet the requirement. Special arrangements may be made and separate wards/beds be earmarked for treatment of heat stroke patients in different hospitals.
All public transport vehicles must carry sufficient portable water and ORS packets to be provided to passengers/ staff requiring the same. The timing for the engagement of labourers at worksites may be rescheduled. No work should be executed in peak hours during the heat wave period. The energy Department will issue instructions to the Distribution Companies to maintain an uninterrupted power supply