Govt reviews heatwave preparedness

Bhubaneswar: With temperatures steadily rising across the state, the housing and urban development department on Tuesday conducted a high-level review of its preparedness in case of a heatwave.The meeting, chaired by housing and urban development minister Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, placed strong emphasis on proactive and coordinated measures to safeguard urban populations.During the meeting, director (municipal administration) Arindam Dakua, briefed the department on the agenda and presented a detailed outline of the heatwave standard operating procedures (SOPs), listing key action points to be executed by all urban local bodies.Speaking to senior officials through a virtual platform, Mahapatra stressed the urgency of timely and coordinated intervention to mitigate heat-related risks. He directed all departmental heads, municipal commissioners and executive officers of municipalities and NACs to strictly adhere to the prescribed SOPs.“No one should die of a sunstroke. All officials must remain alert, vigilant and responsive at all levels,” Mahapatra said. A major portion of the review meeting focused on ensuring equitable and uninterrupted water supply during summer.