District Magistrates directed to temporarily halt all construction work in water-scarce areas and ensure the availability of clean drinking water in buses, stations, and markets.

Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan has directed all schools to ring the water bell at regular intervals so that students can drink water at regular intervals during the summer season and avoid dehydration.

On Wednesday, the Chief Secretary held a meeting with senior government officials regarding preparations for the summer heat wave.
He directed that necessary changes be made to school timings, adequate ventilation be provided in classrooms, and that ORS and essential medicines be stocked.

He also urged that practical information regarding heat wave prevention be provided to students. In view of the rising temperatures and potential heat waves in the state, protecting the health of students should be a top priority in all schools.

He also directed the District Magistrates to temporarily halt all construction work in water-scarce areas and ensure the availability of clean drinking water in buses, stations, and markets.

The Chief Secretary directed that all departments, from the state to the village level, should work in a coordinated and proactive manner to address the challenge of the heat wave.

A heat wave action plan should be developed in each district, identifying sensitive (hotspot) areas, ensuring special monitoring and relief measures. A 24×7 control room should be established to maintain a robust response system for any emergency.

The Chief Secretary, citing the importance of drinking water availability, directed that the continuous availability of clean drinking water be ensured in public places, markets, bus stands, and Panchayat buildings in both urban and rural areas.

In areas where water scarcity is likely, advance action plans should be made to arrange for tankers, regularly monitor tube wells and pumping systems, and prepare alternative water supply systems. Additional resources should be arranged in advance to ensure supply is not disrupted in the event of high demand.
Regarding health services, the Chief Secretary directed that all hospitals ensure adequate beds, dedicated wards, essential medicines, ORS, and ice packs for the treatment of heat wave patients. Ambulance services should be strengthened, with ice packs and ORS mandatory, and medical and paramedical staff should be trained in heat wave management.

The public should be widely educated about the symptoms, prevention, and first aid of heat waves. It should also be ensured that hospitals have shade and fans at patient sitting areas.

Placing special emphasis on the safety of laborers and those working in the open during heat waves, the Chief Secretary directed that working hours be adjusted as needed, especially avoiding heavy work during the afternoon.
Shaded resting areas, ice packs, clean drinking water, ORS, and first aid facilities should be ensured at workplaces. Workers should also be made aware of heat wave prevention measures. He directed that temporary shelters (cooling spaces) and water kiosks be installed in public places in urban and rural areas, and water supply be ensured for those in need.

Workers should also be made aware of heat wave prevention measures. He directed that temporary shelters (cooling spaces) and water kiosks be established in public places in urban and rural areas, and that water supply be ensured for those in need. Special emphasis was placed on keeping parks open for longer hours, providing relief to the poor and vulnerable, and making proper arrangements for water and shelter for animals.

In view of the increasing demand for electricity, the Chief Secretary has issued instructions to ensure uninterrupted power supply and has said that adequate stock of transformers and other essential equipment should be maintained. Currently, due to the disruption in gas supply, the use of electrical appliances in the kitchen has increased. Generally, in the summer, electricity demand increases due to ACs, fans, and coolers.

Therefore, the demand for electricity may increase this season, hence, during times of high demand, alternative plans should be prepared to ensure that essential services are not affected.

On this occasion, Secretary Shri Dilip Jawalkar, Dr. Pankaj Kumar Pandey, CCF Shri Sushant Kumar Patnaik, Dr. Parag Madhukar Dhakate, Shri C. Ravishankar, Shri Vinod Kumar Suman and Shri Ranveer Singh Chauhan along with other senior officers and District Magistrates from the districts were present through video conferencing.