Haryana government prepares comprehensive heat-wave action plan to safeguard residents
Haryana to establish ORS corners in public places
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, April 29 -
The Haryana Chief Secretary TVSN Prasad, today stated that the state government, in a bid to protect its citizens from the heat-wave threat, has prepared a comprehensive action plan to mitigate heat-wave risks across the state, aiming to ensure the well-being and safety of residents, particularly focusing on vulnerable groups like students, outdoor workers, and rural communities.
Seasonal Outlook and Preparedness Measures: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted above-normal maximum temperatures over the state of Haryana for the hot weather season (April to June) 2024. Acknowledging this forecast, the state government has taken proactive steps to enhance preparedness and resilience against heat-related challenges.
After attending the virtual meeting convened by the Union Home Secretary to review heat-wave preparedness measures with the states and union territories today, Sh. Prasad gave the details of the collaborative efforts undertaken by various departments to address the imminent threat. Each department has designated nodal officers tasked with overseeing heat-wave preparedness activities, ensuring a coordinated and effective response.
Sh. Prasad informed that the School Education Department has implemented a strategic adjustment to school timings. Classes will now commence early in the morning and conclude before noon, reducing students' exposure to peak heat hours. Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to tailor specific timings for primary classes based on local conditions, ensuring optimal safety measures are in place. Directions have been issued to District Elementary Education Officers, District Education Officers, Block Education Officers, Block Elementary Education Officers, and school heads regarding this regard.
He further said that the Labour Department has launched a comprehensive strategy to safeguard the health and well-being of outdoor workers, who are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. An advisory has been circulated to display the phone numbers of the nearest hospitals/clinics to increase rest time during peak hours, especially in industries, construction sites, and brick kilns. The advisory includes arrangements for AC/coolers at specific places for workers, ensuring drinking water facilities at all work premises, labor checks, and health department oversight at brick kilns. Employers have been advised to organize health camps for workers in collaboration with the Health Department and to keep adequate quantities of ice packs/ORS packets.
The Women and Child Development Department is taking a proactive approach by launching door-to-door campaigns to educate girls, women, and caregivers about heatwave dangers and preventive measures. Special focus will be given to protecting vulnerable groups like infants, young children, pregnant and lactating mothers, and the elderly from dehydration. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme workers will disseminate crucial information, and Anganwadi centers will be equipped with essential supplies like drinking water, first-aid kits, ORS, and zinc solutions.
Chief Secretary stated that MNREGA will protect workers from excessive heat during the day by rescheduling working hours, providing drinking water facilities, sheds, and first aid facilities, arranging child care at work sites, and raising awareness about the effects of heatwaves. Field officers have also been directed to raise awareness about this.
He mentioned that the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying has issued advisories for livestock in view of the heatwave. Additionally, directions have been given to all assistant divisional fire officers, fire station officers, and in-charges of the state to prepare for dealing with the heatwave. They have also been directed to ensure that all firefighting vehicles and equipment in the fire stations are in working condition.
The Health & Family Welfare Department will set up ORS corners at public places like bus stands and railway stations. Public health advisories have been issued to all health facilities regarding dos and don'ts for extreme heat and heatwaves. Sensitization of all categories of health workers on heat stress-related disorders, prevention, and management is underway. All district nodal officers have been directed to ensure daily reporting of cases, with zero reported if no cases exist. Civil Surgeons and District Nodal Officers have been directed to regularly monitor reporting on the IHIP portal. Existing control rooms at district headquarters will serve as help desks if needed, he added.
A contingency crop plan has been prepared for Kharif-2024, with advisories being issued for farmers by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University. Irrigation facilities are being utilized to protect crops from water shortages and as per crop requirements.The Power Department has formed a Monitoring and Coordination Committee to manage power requirements during the hot weather season, with a focus on energy conservation. This year, expected power peak is 13,381 MW as compared to last year's 12,484 MW. Adequate measures are being taken up with regard to manage the heat wave months.
A campaign will also be launched regarding energy conservation. Power supply will be ensured for waterworks/water supply schemes. Meanwhile, the Public Health Engineering Department is ensuring uninterrupted water supply through tankers and pumping machinery, with portable drinking water facilities maintained at public places, Parsad said. He said that Directions have been issued to all the Assistant Divisional Fire Officers/Fire Station Officers/Incharges in the State to prepare for ensuring heatwaves/summer and also directed that all the fire vehicles/equipment in the fire stations should be in running condition.