CS reviews heatwave readiness, orders preventive steps

Patna: With severe heatwave conditions expected from mid-April to June, the state govt has put all departments on high alert and ordered immediate implementation of preventive measures to minimise risks to public health and safety. At a high-level review meeting on Monday, chief secretary Amrit Lal Meena reviewed preparedness with senior officials from 10 departments, including health, public health engineering, transport, energy, education, and urban development. He directed departments to act as per the standard operating procedure for heat management already in place.

Departments were instructed to set up drinking water kiosks at bus stands, markets, road intersections, and other public places, and keep water tankers ready for emergency supply. Repair of damaged drinking water pipelines and cleaning and maintenance of water tankers were ordered within 10–15 days.

The health department was asked to hold meetings with all civil surgeons and PHC in-charges before April and ensure adequate stocks of ORS and strict adherence to heatwave treatment protocols. Schools were directed to educate children on heat protection and maintain sufficient ORS supplies, with the chief secretary warning that negligence toward children would not be tolerated.

Special arrangements were ordered for labourers, including drinking water, shade, ice packs, and first aid at worksites. Public transport services may be regulated between 11 am and 3.30 pm during extreme heat. The Energy Department was told to ensure uninterrupted power supply and prevent fire hazards. Disaster management officials warned that heatwave conditions are likely to intensify in the coming months.

Meanwhile, DM Thiyagarajan S M on Monday appealed to residents to strictly follow fire safety standards set by the disaster management department and Bihar Fire Services to prevent incidents during the fire-prone period from March 15 to June 15. He said that strong westerly winds during this time increase fire risks, particularly in rural areas where crop fields, granaries, and standing crops face severe damage.