Heatwave in Odisha: IMD puts 9 districts on alert, govt issues special advisory

As entire Odisha sizzles under blistering summer heat, the State government on Wednesday issued advisories to nine districts to adopt precautionary measures over forecast of few more days of intense heatwave situation. 

As per a special bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Regional Centre in Bhubaneswar, heatwave condition is likely to prevail at isolated places over the districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Deogarh, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh and Bolangir till April 29. 

Similarly, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Sonepur, Boudh, Bolangir and Kalahandi are the districts which are likely to experience heat wave on April 30. 

Issuing ‘Yellow Warning’ to the above mentioned districts, the IMD bulletin also states that maximum temperature is likely to be above normal by 3 to 5 degree Celsius at many places over districts of interior Odisha and likely to be above normal by 2 to 3 degree Celsius at a few places of coastal Odisha during next four to five days.  

The Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary to the Odisha government in his letter to Collectors of the districts have directed them to follow the following advisory in view of the heat situation. 

• Steps be taken to circulate the warning message among the public.
• Heat is tolerable for general public but slight health concern for vulnerable people such as infant, elderly and sick people. 
• Public may be advised to take precautionary measures for hot weather while going outside during noontime (From 11 am to 3.30 pm).
• Public may be advised to avoid heat exposure, keep cool and avoid dehydration. 
• Situation may be closely monitored and action as deemed necessary be taken.