Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) released the Heat Wave Contingency Plan for the upcoming 2024 General Elections, urging all district collectors to implement measures for mitigation, preparedness, and response against heat wave conditions.
Satyabrata Sahu, IAS, serving as both Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, dispatched a directive to district collectors outlining the Heat Wave Contingency Plan for the forthcoming General Elections.
In response to the General Elections 2024 announcement by the Election Commission of India, the Joint Secretary of NDMA, MHA, emphasized the need for effective heat wave management in Odisha.
Anticipating extreme heat wave challenges during the election period, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a seasonal outlook predicting high temperatures across most parts of the state from March to May 2024.
The SRC advised collectors to monitor IMD’s daily bulletins during the summer season for necessary actions and to implement mitigation, preparedness, and response measures accordingly.
Mitigation strategies encompass various administrative approaches including provision of drinking water, temporary shelter, adjustment of working hours, school timings, and enhanced medical emergency services to alleviate the adverse effects of extreme heat waves.
Given the upcoming election rallies, proactive measures involving coordination with relevant departments are crucial. Detailed instructions on preparedness and precautionary measures have been communicated in the letter from the Odisha SRC.
District collectors were urged to prioritize effective heat wave management and report any emergencies promptly for immediate intervention, as stated in the letter.
