The regional centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for heatwave conditions in 11 districts of Odisha.

It asked officials to judiciously monitor the poll rallies and gatherings during peak hours of the day from 11am to 3pm. The IMD said: “People going for rallies and gatherings advised to take necessary steps to avoid prolonged exposure in high humid and temperature areas.”

The met department’s officer Manorama Mohanty said: “The heat wave condition would prevail for the next three days starting Thursday. During the three days, the areas will experience heatwave conditions during day time and severe humidity in the night.”

The yellow warning has been issued for districts like Nayagarh, Kandhamal, Cuttack, Boudh, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Bolangir, Malkangiri, Kalahandi, Koraput and Dhenkanal.

In its release, the IMD said: “Due to prevailing mainly Northwesterly/Westerly dry air and high solar insolation, Consequently maximum temperature (day temperature) likely to be more than 40°C at many places over the districts of Odisha and likely to be above normal by 3°C to 5°C over some districts of Odisha till April 6, 2024.

People are advised to take precautionary measures while going outside between 11am and 3pm.”

The regional office of the IMD in its release said: “Heat cramp, and heat rash are likely to occur during peak hours of the day.”

It has asked people to avoid prolonged heat exposure and use ORS, homemade drinks like lassi, torani (rice water), sugarcane juice, lemon water, buttermilk, etc. to rehydrate the body. It has also advised people to recognise the signs of heat stroke, heat rash or heat cramps such as weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea, sweating and seizures.

“If you feel faint or ill, see a doctor/hospital immediately. It has also asked to avoid alcohol, tea, coffee and carbonated soft drinks, which dehydrates the body and avoid high-protein food and do not eat stale food,” the release said.

Voting day holiday

The Odisha government on Thursday announced localised public holidays in respective constituencies during the four-phased Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

Elections in the state will be held on May 13, May 20, May 25 and June 1.

“The government of Odisha has been pleased to declare a holiday for the employees of the state government offices and magisterial courts (executive) on May 13 (Monday), May 20 (Monday), May 25 (Saturday) and June1 (Saturday) for the offices located within the parliamentary seats and Assembly segments coming within those parliamentary constituencies to enable the staff to exercise their franchise,” the notification said.

According to the election schedule, voting for 28 Assembly segments and four MP segments will be held on May 13, while Bargarh, Sundergarh, Bolangir, Kandhamal and Aska MP constituencies along with 35 Assembly seats coming under these LS seats will vote on May 20.

In the third phase, May 25, six parliamentary constituencies will go to polls.

In the final phase on June 1, the remaining six constituencies will vote along with 42 Assembly segments.