As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Regional Centre here on Saturday predicted dense fog in several districts for two days, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) alerted the respective Collectors and SPs to direct the officials concerned to ensure controlled plying of vehicles on highways.

The Collectors and the SPs were asked to instruct police and transport officials to take necessary steps for controlled plying of vehicles on highways during the dense fog to avoid any accident.

As per the bulletin issued by MeT Centre, dense fog is very likely to occur in the districts of Baleswar, Kendrapada, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Jajpur, Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Boudh, Angul and Kandhamal from late night of January 30 to the morning of January 31.

From the night of January 31 to the morning of February 1, dense fog is very likely to occur in the districts of Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khordha, Puri, Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput and Ganjam.

Besides, the IMD predicted that isolated cold wave to severe cold wave condition is very likely to prevail over the districts of Jharsuguda and Sundargarh from January 31 to February 2. The IMD issued Yellow Warning for these districts.

There is increased likelihood of cold-related illnesses among people, which may get aggravated due to prolonged exposure to cold.

Livestock may also be affected. People in the districts under the Yellow Warning and also in other areas, where intense cold is felt, are advised to stay indoors during night, said the SRC in a letter to the concerned Collectors and Municipal Commissioners.

“Movement during night especially in two-wheelers or in open cars must be avoided. Necessary safety measures are to be taken while using electrical and gas-heating devices or using fire for the purpose,” the letter stated.

As advised earlier, the Collectors were asked to ensure that school buildings, community buildings and other available buildings are opened for use as shelter during night by homeless and needy people.

 They were directed to send a report indicating the number of such buildings and number people sheltered therein to the SRC office on a daily basis till the cold wave situation is over.