The effects of heatwaves have already begun to be felt in many states across the country since early March. Daytime temperatures are soaring significantly. In response to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)’s forecast of a severe heatwave, the Odisha government has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for heatwave management for all colleges and universities in the state.
SOP issued for precautionary measures
A statement issued by the Higher Education Department on Monday said that this directive has been issued to deal with the heat wave situation and to ensure preparedness and precautionary measures for the health and well-being of students, teachers and staff.
School timings should be changed
According to the SOP, colleges and universities have been advised to conduct classes, internal assessments, and examinations in the morning or reschedule them whenever possible to protect students from the extreme heat. Outdoor academic, sports, and co-curricular activities are prohibited during the afternoon. Where unavoidable, such activities should be conducted with adequate safety measures and during cooler times of the day.
ORS should already be placed in the school
All higher education institutions have been directed to ensure uninterrupted availability of clean and potable water at multiple locations within the campuses. Adequate stocks of oral rehydration salts (ORS) should be maintained and made readily available in classrooms, hostels, public areas, and examination centers, it said.
Maintain hand pumps and drinking water facilities
The SOP also mandates inspection and repair of tube wells, hand pumps, and drinking water facilities to prevent disruptions in water supply during the summer season. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast temperatures to rise in the state between March 6 and 12.
Temperatures will reach 38 degrees Celsius in a few days.
The IMD has predicted the day temperature to be around 36 to 38 degrees Celsius in the interior districts of the state and around 34 to 36 degrees Celsius in other parts of the state.
