With heatwave conditions prevailing across Odisha and the situation unlikely to change soon, the state government today cancelled leaves of all employees associated with rural water supply and sanitation.
The highest temperature in the state was 44.5 degrees Celsius, recorded today at Titlagarh.
Though the mercury level fell to 42.9 degrees Celsius from yesterday's 45.8 degrees Celsius in the state capital, as many as 16 towns and cities in the state registered temperature above 42 degrees Celsius.
Titlagarh was followed by Sonepur (44.1), Sundargarh (44), Talcher (43.8), Chandbali (43.7), Bolangir (43.5), Angul (43.3), Bhawanipatna (43.2), Hirakud (43.1) and Jharsuguda (43).
Though the temperature and relative humidity levels fell in Bhubaneswar, the city witnessed a deserted look at noon as the IMD predicted continuance of heatwave conditions for the next 48 hours.
"We have cancelled the leaves of all RWSS employees as water scarcity is felt in some part of the state. RWSS engineers and workers have been directed to keep their offices open and ensure that people get water to drink," rural development secretary P K Mohapatra, who is also the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) of the state, told reporters here.
Mohapatra said the district collectors and field level officials have been informed about the state government's decision of cancellation of leaves of all RWSS employees and engineers in view of the extreme heat.
He said the state government has received reports of 24 RPT 24 alleged sunstroke deaths from different parts of the state and the district collectors would examine the cases.
Mohapatra said the government has also rescheduled timing of some examinations, besides closing the grievance cell operating in different districts and the state capital in view of the prevailing heatwave conditions.
The state government had already ordered the closure of all schools across Odisha as the IMD predicted continuance of heatwave situation till April 20, Mohapatra added.
