CM Rekha announces ORS in schools, rest for labourers amid heat wave
As the searing heat wave continues to singe the national Capital, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday announced a series of measures aimed at tackling it, including providing ORS solution in schools, and ensuring uninterrupted supply of power and water. She also asked the Labour Department to ensure that all outdoor labourers remain off work between 1 pm and 4 pm.
During a review meeting with all the departments, the chief minister directed the Department of Education to make arrangements for the ORS solution across schools in Delhi.
“All children will be given ORS solution before leaving school so that the heat does not affect them while walking back home,” she said.
The chief minister has also directed the transport department to carry drinking water inside a cool box on all DTC buses.
“Directions have been given to ensure uninterrupted supply of power and water,” Gupta further said.
She added that the Delhi Government is fully prepared to tackle the heatwave this season and that arrangements are in place so that people do not face any problems. Rekha Gupta said that the Government is working with full preparedness at every level under the Heat Wave Action Plan. Clear guidelines have also been issued to all departments on this matter to ensure that people face minimal inconvenience during the severe heat.
While interacting with media persons, the Chief Minister particularly emphasised three key measures. She informed that arrangements for cold drinking water will be made in all DTC buses through cold boxes so that any passenger can access water immediately whenever required during travel. In addition, water counters will also be installed near bus shelters, where cold drinking water and ORS solution will be made available free of cost.
Providing relief to workers, the Chief Minister said that through the Labour Department, all employers have been directed to ensure that workers are given rest between 1 pm and 4 pm and are not required to work under direct sunlight. At the same time, it will also be the responsibility of employers to arrange water, shade, and other essential facilities for them.
The Chief Minister informed that all ministries have been directed to ensure that these guidelines reach people associated with their respective sectors and are implemented strictly.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi and PWD have also been instructed to take special care of the health of sanitation workers and construction workers and to halt work during peak heat hours.
She said that health services are fully prepared. Adequate arrangements of medicines and essential facilities have been made in all hospitals to deal with any emergency situation.
The Chief Minister also informed that the fire, power, and water departments have been put on alert mode to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity and water across the city. All water resources will also be kept fully operational.
Referring to the preparedness of the fire department, she said that the department is reaching every incident site swiftly with quick response vehicles, and not only are incidents being controlled, but continuous efforts are also being made to prevent them.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) Education Committee on Monday issued strict guidelines for schools to deal with the rising heat and a possible heatwave in the national Capital, in line with measures taken by the Delhi Government.
MCD education committee chairman Yogesh Verma said the directions have been issued for all corporation-run and affiliated schools, keeping in view the increasing heat in the Capital and the possibility of a heatwave.
“On the lines of the Delhi Government, all necessary precautionary steps are being taken in MCD schools with children’s safety and health as the top priority. The decision has been taken considering the warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD),” Verma said in a statement.
He added that instructions have been given to limit outdoor assemblies in schools and to hold them in shaded or indoor spaces. A ban has also been imposed on holding classes in the open.
To prevent dehydration among students, Verma said directions have been issued to implement a “water bell” system, under which students will be encouraged to drink water every 45-60 minutes. Availability of clean and cool drinking water in schools will also be ensured, he added.
“Schools have been instructed to implement a ‘buddy system’ and encourage students to take care of each other. They have also been advised to keep students away from outdoor sports activities,” Verma said in the statement.
He added that awareness sessions related to heatwaves should be organised in all schools so that students can be informed about protection from heat, adequate water intake and identification of symptoms. Immediate first aid and medical assistance, if required, will also be ensured.
According to officials, MCD runs more than 1,500 primary schools and serves more than 8 lakh students in the national Capital.
Parents have been advised to send their children to school in light, cotton and comfortable clothes and to pay special attention to personal hygiene, officials said.
Verma said a nodal officer will be appointed in each school to monitor the effective implementation of these guidelines. Schools have also been directed to regularly communicate these measures to teachers, students and parents.
