Delhi govt appoints nodal officers at state, district levels for heatwave management

The Delhi government on Wednesday designated nodal heat officers at the state and district levels for coordinated action to implement various measures in view of the scorching summer heat in the national capital. In an order issued by revenue secretary cum divisional commissioner, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) special chief executive officer has been nominated as chief heat officer of the state. The SDM (DDMA) will serve as nodal heat officers at the district level, for heatwave management, said the order. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed departments concerned to ensure rest hours for workers between 1 PM- 4 PM, provision of oral rehydration solution (ORS) at schools and keeping iceboxes in buses to quench the thirst of driver, conductor and passengers. ''The nodal officers will ensure that all the directions of the government, specially those for providing relief to the people from intense heat and prevent any hardships to them, are promptly put into action,'' said a senior revenue officer. The government has readied 339 health centres across Delhi with ORS packets, ice packs and related supplies and 30 hospitals now have set up dedicated 'cool rooms' for heatstroke management,'' Gupta said. Medical officers and ASHA workers have also been trained to handle heat-related ailments while 330 ambulances are kept on standby for emergency response, the Chief Minister said earlier. A heat action plan is being implemented through the DDMA which is coordinating efforts across multiple departments in collaboration with NGOs. As part of field-level interventions, drinking water points, water coolers, shaded shelters and cooling points are being set up across the city.

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