Odisha government issues SOP for managing heat waves in colleges and universities, advising morning classes, hydration facilities, and safety measures as IMD forecasts severe summer conditions
OdishaPlus Bureau
The government of Odisha has released a standard operating procedure (SoP) for managing heat waves in all colleges and universities throughout the state, as the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a severe summer ahead.
This directive aims to ensure readiness and implement precautionary measures to alleviate heat wave conditions and protect the health and welfare of students, faculty, and staff, according to a statement from the Higher Education Department issued on Monday.
As per the SoP, colleges and universities are encouraged to conduct or reschedule classes, internal assessments, and examinations during morning hours whenever feasible, to minimize students’ exposure to peak heat conditions.
Outdoor academic, sports, and co-curricular activities have been limited during peak afternoon hours. When such activities are unavoidable, they should be carried out with appropriate safeguards and preferably during cooler times of the day, as stated.
All higher education institutions are required to ensure the continuous availability of safe and drinkable water at various locations within their campuses. Sufficient supplies of oral rehydration salts (ORS) must be kept on hand and easily accessible in classrooms, hostels, common areas, and examination centers.
The SoP also requires the inspection and maintenance of tube wells, hand pumps, and drinking water facilities to avoid any disruption in water supply during the summer months.
Colleges and universities have been directed to maintain basic first aid facilities to address heat-related issues, dehydration, dizziness, and other medical emergencies. Designated personnel must be appointed to provide immediate assistance in such cases.Heads of institutions have also been asked to sensitise students, faculty and staffers about heat wave precautionary measures, including the importance of adequate hydration, recognition of early symptoms of heat exhaustion and the dos and don’ts during extreme heat conditions. Parents and guardians may also be advised to ensure that students carry drinking water while attending classes and examinations.
The letter in this regard has been issued to all state public and private universities and all degree colleges operating under the Higher Education Department for strict compliance.
The IMD predicted that the mercury is expected to shoot up and the day temperature is expected to hover around 36 to 38 degrees Celsius in interior districts and 34 to 36 degrees Celsius in the rest of the state from March 6 to 12.
