BMC issues heatwave advisory; outdoor construction banned from 11 AM to 3 PM

Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty): The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued a heatwave advisory as temperatures in Bhubaneswar continue to rise, ranging between 31°C and 36°C. 

To protect construction workers from extreme heat, the civic body has directed that all outdoor construction activities remain suspended between 11 AM and 3 PM, starting March 15.

Officials said the decision has been taken to reduce the risk of heat-related illnesses among labourers working in the open during peak afternoon hours.

To help residents cope with the heat, BMC will install drinking water kiosks at major public locations and place water pots for stray animals in different parts of the city.

BMC Deputy Commissioner Ratnakar Sahoo said the initiative aims to provide relief to commuters, street vendors, homeless people and other vulnerable groups.

The civic body has also activated a 24×7 control room to coordinate heatwave response. In addition, Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) has restarted its toll-free helpline 1929 to handle complaints and requests related to heat exposure. 

The helpline, earlier used during the COVID-19 pandemic, will now assist citizens seeking help for sunstroke and other heat-related health problems.

As part of heat mitigation measures, BMC has increased watering of roadside plants and shrubs, doubling the daily water usage from 8,000 litres to 16,000 litres.

Maintenance of plantations along nearly 50 km of road medians is being carried out with support from the Odisha Forest Development Corporation.