Daijiworld Media Network - Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, May 25: Amid rising temperatures and persistent heatwave conditions across Odisha, the state Works Department has reinforced restrictions on outdoor labour activities during the hottest part of the day. Authorities have instructed that no workers should be engaged in open-air construction or related work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
The directive was issued by the Engineer-in-Chief (EIC) to Chief Construction Engineers and Superintending Engineers stationed across different regions of the state. Officials were reminded that the government had already imposed limits on outdoor labour during peak heat hours to safeguard workers from extreme summer conditions.
Despite earlier instructions, reports have surfaced indicating that labourers were still being made to work during the prohibited period in certain areas. Taking serious note of these violations, the department has ordered contractors to immediately suspend all outdoor activities during restricted hours.
In addition to halting work, contractors have been directed to provide essential facilities at worksites, including shaded rest areas, clean drinking water, and first-aid support for labourers. Field officials have also been asked to closely monitor implementation and spread awareness among workers and contractors to avoid heat-related mishaps.
Odisha continues to experience intense heatwave conditions, with several districts recording extremely high temperatures on Sunday. Titlagarh emerged as the hottest location in the state at 45.8°C, followed closely by Boudh at 45.6°C, Bhawanipatna at 45.4°C, and Sambalpur at 45.3°C. Sonepur and Balangir also reported temperatures above 45°C.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that heatwave and humid weather conditions are likely to persist across most districts of Odisha from May 24 to May 28. Temperatures are expected to remain well above seasonal averages during this period.
The weather department has further issued an Orange Warning for severe heatwave conditions in isolated areas of Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Balangir, and Boudh districts over the next five days.