Bhubaneswar: With temperature rising abnormally due to erratic weather patterns and the heat-absorbing nature of urban clusters, the housing and urban development department on Tuesday issued a comprehensive standard operating procedure directing all urban local bodies to implement heat-mitigation and drinking water-supply measures.According to the department, unpredictable rainfall followed by persistent climatic fluctuations has triggered early heat stress across urban pockets. Large concrete surfaces, road networks, and dense infrastructure are further amplifying the heat impact, making several city zones vulnerable to extreme conditions.To tackle the situation, the public health engineering organisation and the ULBs have been instructed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of potable drinking water. All pipelines must be maintained in proper working conditions, and any public complaint must be resolved within 24 hours.“Water tankers are to be deployed in scarcity-hit areas on a priority basis, with additional tankers to be arranged on a hiring basis if required. Tube wells and hand pumps must be kept fully operational, with spare parts stocked for prompt repairs,” reads the SOP issued by the department.The department has reiterated the need for 24X7 control rooms in PHEO or WATCO and city-level offices to monitor complaints and track IMD’s heatwave warnings. ULBs have also been asked to open additional Paniya Jal Bitaran Kendras or water kiosks at key public locations such as roadsides, bus stands, markets and offices.The kiosks, according to the SOP, could be managed through the Mission Shakti Groups, federations or NGOs, with water quality, hygiene, and daily replenishment to be strictly ensured, while agencies running kiosks merely for publicity will face action, the department has warned.“Strict enforcement has been mandated on the burning of solid waste, while awareness campaigns will promote placing water pots outside homes for birds and animals. Construction agencies must cover sites, sprinkle water to control dust, and safely dispose of debris, while vehicles carrying materials must use tarpaulins,” the SOP reads.
