BHUBANESWAR: With the State under the grip of a heat wave, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday ordered temporary closure of grievance cells starting April 24.
While the CM Grievance Cell will be suspended, the Collectors and SPs have also been asked to close the cells for the time being in their respective districts so that people do not have to travel in the heat.
During this period, people can send their grievances either through mail or by post to the CM. The CM Office said the public can access cmgcodisha.gov.in to lodge their grievances or use the postal method. In the district level too, similar methods must be adopted, it said and added that once the heat wave relents, the grievance cells will reopen immediately.
The prospects of the blistering weather abating look remote given the existing conditions. On Thursday, the western and central districts continued to reel under a staggering heat wave as the mercury began a fresh climb. Balangir recorded 44.5 degree C while Titlagarh and Sonepur reported 43.9 degree and 43 degree C respectively.
Other towns like Hirakud, Bhawanipatna, Jharsuguda, Talcher and Angul also recorded above 40 degree C temperature though coastal towns were spared.
The India Meteorological Department said heat wave conditions will continue for a week as there is no forecast for any change in the weather.
So far, the unofficial sunstroke death number stands at 17 while the Government has confirmed only two casualties out of four cases in which investigation has been complete.