Almost all the streets in Jharsuguda, Brajrajnagar, Belpahar, Bandhbahal, Banharpali towns and in lakhanpur, laikera, Kulabira and Kirmira blocks of the district wore a deserted look over the past week with the mercury touching 43 degrees Celsius virtually every day.
People remained indoors during the day due to the scorching heat. The burning coal heaps in the five open cast mines of MCl added to the woes of the residents near the mining areas. More than 1,050 giant trees have been felled to pave the way for widening the National Highway-49 between Kanaktura to laikera in the district, which has also led to worsening of the situation.
Sections like construction labourers, rickshaw pullers and street vendors are extremely vulnerable.
People travelling on motorbikes and public transport are facing a tough time. A group of road construction workers complained that sometimes they were not relieved of their job despite the searing heat.
Activist Subash Sahare said non- availability of drinking water is causing huge a problem, particularly for poor passengers who remain thirsty. It is not possible for every passenger to purchase mineral water. The municipality and panchayats should open water kiosks, he demanded.
District Collector Bibhuti Bhushan Patnaik, however, told that adequate arrangements are being made to supply drinking water and save people from sunstrokes.
Meanwhile, the local Met Department informed that the weather would continue to remain dry and severe heat wave conditions are likely to prevail in the next three days.