Odisha Issues Strict Heatwave Guidelines for Outdoor Workers as Temperatures Soar Past 45°C
मुख्य बातें
- •IMD issues Orange Warning for heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in Odisha from May 24 to May 28, 2026.
- •Odisha Works Department bans outdoor work for labourers between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and mandates shaded rest areas, water, and first-aid at worksites.
- •Six districts in Odisha—Titlagarh, Boudh, Bhawanipatna, Sambalpur, Sonepur, and Balangir—recorded temperatures above 45°C on May 24, 2026.
- •Titlagarh recorded the highest temperature at 45.8°C, while Boudh, Bhawanipatna, and Sambalpur recorded 45.6°C, 45.4°C, and 45.3°C respectively.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Warning for heatwave to severe heatwave conditions across several districts in Odisha, effective from May 24 to May 28, 2026. In response, the Odisha Works Department has taken strict action to protect outdoor labourers from extreme heat by banning all outdoor work during peak daytime hours, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The directive, issued on Sunday, May 24, 2026, was sent by the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) of the Works Department to Chief Construction Engineers and Superintending Engineers across the state. The department emphasized that despite prior instructions prohibiting outdoor work during these hours due to severe summer conditions, reports indicate that some contractors are still engaging workers during the restricted period.
