In Titlagarh, voters seek efforts to beat the heat

Bhubaneswar/Balangir: Titlagarh, a small town in western Odisha, faces extremely high temperatures during the summer months, surpassing most places in the state. The heat is so intense that mitigation measures remain a major election issue as Titlagarh prepares to vote on May 20. Residents have adapted to the conditions by observing an unofficial daytime curfew and adjusting their daily routines.

Sanjib Pattnaik, a 48-year-old native who runs a voluntary organisation, said, “We have been asking candidates coming for votes regarding their vision about reducing the unbearable temperature and steps to face the harsh days.” Sarat Chandra Mishra, a retired schoolteacher, however, the issue has not caught the attention of major parties as much as it should have, possibly because people have not aspired for easy solutions from the political class.Shops and businesses in Titlagarh adjust their hours from April to June, opening early and closing by 11 am, taking an extended break until 4 pm, and then resuming for the evening shift. Chittranjan Bisi, a motor parts shopowner, plans to vote early in the morning before opening his shop to avoid the heat later in the day.Titlagarh had set a new record on June 5, 2003, with a temperature of 50.1°C, attracting global attention. The region regularly experiences temperatures ranging from 45°C to 47°C in May-June. Radiation from Kumuda hill, black stone formations, and some other deforested hills surrounding the township contribute to the additional heat.Govt agencies have implemented initiatives to create green cover and contain the excessive summer temperature. Divisional forest officer (Balangir) Sudarsan Behera said, “While steps are being taken to create a grass cover on the Kumuda hill, some banyan trees are being planted on an experimental basis this year.” However, environmental activist Dolgobinda Bisi believes that plantation alone cannot reduce the rising temperature and suggests constructing more water bodies, check dams and creating a dense forest around the town.The poll heat has added to the already sweltering atmospheric warmth in Titlagarh. Tukuni Sahu, a minister in Naveen Patnaik’s council, is defending the Titlagarh assembly seat against two political novices, BJP’s Naveen Jain and Congress candidate Birendra Bag.Bag said the Congress, if voted, will work on a vision to reduce Titlagarh heat. “We are supporting Kumuda Pahad Suraksha Samiti, a citizens’ body, working to improve green cover on the hill. This will significantly contribute to reducing heat in the township. Unfortunately, the govt agencies are largely indifferent,” he claimed.The excitement for elections among the 2.54 lakh voters of Titlagarh is particularly high this time because chief minister Naveen Patnaik is contesting from the adjacent Kantabanji assembly segment. Distressed migration of workforce to states such as Maharashtra, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh and demand for formation of a separate Titlagarh district, carved out of Balangir, are among some of the poll issues. BJD’s Tukuni has said whenever the BJD govt plans to create new districts, Titlagarh will be first on the list. Titlagarh and Kantabanji are both part of Balangir Lok Sabha constituency.Poll authorities said steps are being taken to ensure zero deaths due to heatwave during elections across the state. Chief electoral officer Nikunja Bihari Dhal said, “Heatstroke wards are open in primary health centres. Drinking water and ORS powder will be available in booths while sheds will be erected for voters to stand in queues. Mobile health units and paramedical staff will be deployed in all sectors to attend to heat exigencies.”
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