Bhubaneswar, April 18: The Odisha government has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen preparedness and response to heatwave conditions across the state, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced on Saturday.

Addressing the media, the Minister said the SOP focuses on coordinated action among departments and empowers district administrations to take swift, situation-specific decisions. District collectors have been granted the authority to implement necessary measures based on local temperature conditions, with provisions for later ratification by the state government.

As part of the strategy, the government is considering restrictions on vehicular movement during peak heat hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in severely affected areas. Plans are also in place to establish roadside shelters for drivers and ensure the availability of ORS packets and safe drinking water to prevent heat-related illnesses.

Dedicated heatwave shelters will be set up in vulnerable locations, similar to existing cyclone and flood shelters. Emergency services, including ambulances and fire units, have been instructed to respond within 20 minutes of distress calls.

The initiative will be implemented in coordination with multiple departments and supported by public sector undertakings and industries to provide relief to commuters during extreme heat conditions.

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