Bhubaneswar, March 20 (IANS): District collectors across Odisha were asked Thursday to remain alert to tackle a potential heatwave as the mercury crossed 38 degrees Celsius in some parts of the state.

"We have sent directions to the collectors of all the districts asking them to take precautionary measures to tackle the heat wave situation during summer," an official of the state disaster management department told IANS.

"They have been told to raise public awareness through different media and involve NGOs in the campaign. They have been told to prepare an action plan for mitigating water scarcity problem in towns and villages," he said.

"They have been told to ensure drinking water at school, colleges and educational institutions," he said.

"We have asked them to ensure rescheduling of the timing of classes and examination in school and colleges and conducted between 6.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.m.," he said.

"Similarly, no labourers should be engaged in outdoor work when the heat peaks in the day," he added.

The district headquarters of Malkangiri, about 620 km from here, recorded 38.4 degrees Celsius Wednesday. A day earlier, state capital Bhubaneswar recorded 39 degrees Celsius -- the highest of this season.