BHUBANESWAR: As severe heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in Odisha for next several days, the State Government on Saturday advised its citizens to remain indoors between 11 am and 3 pm.
In line with the prediction of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the State Government asked people to abide by the advisory issued by the Health Department and IMD to remain safe from the effects of the heat wave, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra told mediapersons.
“We advise people to remain indoors during the peak hours of heat and not indulge in unnecessary adventurism which may cost their lives,” the SRC said.
The SRC, however, said if there is any urgent need to go outside, people should take all precautionary measures like covering their head with wet clothes, carry water bottle and umbrella.
The mercury on Saturday touched a new high of 48 degree Celsius at Titlagarh as the State Government announced that victims of sunstroke will be given ex gratia of `50,000.
The SRC said the compensation will be paid from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF).
“We have written to the Centre to consider heat wave as a disaster. However, it has been classified as a State specific disaster.
Hence, the compensation will be provided from the SDRF,” he said.
As a precautionary measure, the State Government has closed all schools till April 26, banned engagement of workers in manual jobs from 11 am to 3 pm and cancelled leave of employees engaged in the supply of drinking water. Preparations have also been made in all Government hospitals to treat sunstroke patients.
As many as 18 places in Odisha recorded maximum temperature of above 41 degree Celsius out of which in 12 places it was more than 44 degree.
Places which recorded more than 40 degree Celsius include Talcher-46.8, Sonepur-46, Baripada-45.3, Balangir-45.2, Angul-45.1, Sambalpur and Bhawanipatna-45, Hirakud-44.3, Balasore and Malkangiri-44.2, Sundargarh-44, Keonjhargarh-43.5, Jharsuguda-43.4, Chandbali-42.5, Phulbani-41.8, Bhubaneswar-41.5 and Cuttack-41.2
Precautionary Measures