Odisha gears up to tackle heatwave, snakebite and drowning deaths ahead of summer

With the summer season fast approaching, the Odisha government has initiated measures to prevent deaths caused by heatwave, snakebite, and drowning. Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday informed that a joint preparatory meeting will be held next week to review the state’s preparedness to tackle sunstroke and heatwave conditions.

The proposed meeting will involve officials from the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, along with representatives from the Urban Development and Panchayati Raj departments. The primary focus will be on strengthening preparedness and response mechanisms in anticipation of rising temperatures across the state.

The Minister said all concerned departments have been directed to identify heatwave-prone and vulnerable areas and submit detailed reports to the government. Special emphasis will be placed on regions that historically record high temperatures and report heat-related illnesses and fatalities. Preventive measures, including awareness campaigns and field-level coordination, are expected to be discussed in detail.

In addition to heatwave preparedness, the meeting will deliberate on strategies to prevent drowning and snakebite incidents, which tend to increase during the summer and monsoon seasons. Authorities have been instructed to identify sensitive water bodies and locations where people frequently visit for bathing or recreational activities.

Particular attention will also be given to sites where drowning incidents have occurred while individuals were taking selfies. Such vulnerable spots will be mapped, and necessary precautionary measures, including warning signage and public awareness drives, will be implemented to prevent further loss of life.

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“A meeting will be held to identify vulnerable points and make necessary arrangements to tackle sunstroke. The meeting will largely focus on deaths due to drowning, snakebite and lightning strike,” Pujari said.

The state government aims to adopt a proactive and coordinated approach to minimize casualties and ensure public safety during the upcoming summer months.