Heat wave forces Odisha to close schools

No non-air-conditioned buses will be allowed to ply from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., especially during the peak heat hours. All bus operators have been told to keep ready first-aid boxes and drinking water in their vehicles.

Instructions have been issued to both government and private organisations not to carry out any outdoor activities and engage any workers during noon.

Special arrangements for treatment of heat-stroke patients have been made in all hospitals.

Dedicated heat-stroke treatment rooms have been arranged with air-conditioning or cooling facilities in medical colleges in Bhubaneswar and various district headquarters.

Many roads were deserted as people preferred to stay indoors. There were reports of power cuts and water scarcity from interior parts of the state. Even in Bhubaneswar, there were frequent outages in some areas.