JAGATSINGHPUR: Ignoring the directions of the State Government, contractors are engaging labourers for construction activities during peak day time. One woman labourer allegedly died and three persons fell unconscious in the last three days due to heat conditions.
Different parts of Jagatsinghpur district are experiencing sweltering heat conditions. The woman labourer Samina Bibi of Deuligrameswer village under Jagatsinghpur police limits fell victim to heat conditions.
Despite restrictions, construction activities are continuing from College Chowk to Purohitpur Bazaar in which nearly 25 labourers are engaged during peak day time. Bibi was carrying cement on her head for construction of bridge on Friday when she fell unconscious. She was shifted to district headquarters hospital, Jagatsinghpur where doctors declared her brought dead. The State Government has directed the district administration to stop all labour activities from 11 am to 3 pm, but contractors are allegedly engaging labourers during this period.
Locals have alleged that ‘Jal Chatra’ scheme to provide safe drinking water is also not being properly implemented in some panchayats.
The heat wave has also aggravated the drinking water problem in different parts of the district with tube wells getting defunct and ponds drying up fast. Besides, deer are also dying in Kujang and Erasama areas due to shortage of water.
People say the heat wave condition is getting aggravated over the years due to rampant depletion of forest and green cover in coastal areas and massive destruction of mangrove forests in Erasama, Balikuda and Kujanga blocks.
District Emergency Officer Satyanarayan Das said Friday’s sunstroke death during construction work has not been reported to the emergency department. The administration has directed the Labour department to stop work during the stipulated period in view of the hot conditions.