In view of the rising temperatures in the State, a heat wave preparedness meeting was held here on Wednesday by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
After the meeting SRC Bishnupada Sethi informed that Rs 50,000 compensation would be given to the family of victims, who succumb to sunstroke. “Hospitals will have facilities to treat sunstroke patients. If the victims die in the hospital, their post-mortem would be conducted to confirm heat stroke as cause of death,” Sethi said. Similarly, a doctor and an administrative official of the Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority (OSDMA) would confirm such deaths, if the victim has not been admitted to a hospital. Heat stroke has been categorised as a disaster casualty since April 2015,” he said.
He further said OSDMA has chalked out a heat wave action plan that includes measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply. “Working hours of workers in unorganised sectors would be reduced and work would be stopped from 11 am to 3: 30 pm. Similarly, Commerce and Transport Department and Regional Transport Office will direct bus services to reduce plying during heat wave alert during the day,” Sethi added.