Bhubaneswar: The government has come up with a 20-point agenda to combat possible heatwave conditions that are likely to hit the city.

The government has distributed the programme to officials concerned with a direction to follow the steps in letter and spirit. The directive also specifies tasks for each agency, especially the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation and the Public Health Engineering Organization (Pheo). Pheo will take steps to ensure uninterrupted water supply to households, while the civic body will be on hand to provide help, if needed.

According to the combat plan, a control room will be set up with an operator who will receive complaints related to disruptions in water supply between 8am to 10pm from March 15 and take action.

"It is usual practice to come up with different activities to combat possible heatwave conditions. This time, we have amended it and decided to monitor the activities through social media. We have also decided not to allow any official to go on leave till June 30," said Pheo superintending engineer C.R. Jena.

He said the organisation would take up a survey to identify pockets that face scarcity of water. "We will deploy a special squad to monitor water supply to all these pockets. Schools, colleges, hospitals and other public places will be our focus areas to ensure 24x7 water supply."

Besides, the organisation will take steps to hire private tankers to supply water to parched pockets. That apart, a survey to plug leakages in supply lines to avoid contamination will be undertaken, while also stocking up on chemical disinfectants for safe supply of drinking water.

The civic body has decided to put up water kiosks across the city. "We have already installed water ATMs. Besides, we will also set up water kiosks. These kiosks will be put up by the end of this month," said mayor Ananta Narayan Jena.

In the meantime, state-run hospitals in the city are also preparing to treat sunstroke victims. Capital Hospital will open a 10-bed special ward and stock glucose and other materials. The peripheral dispensaries and the Municipal Hospital at Old Town will take up similar measures.

"We have directed the chief municipal medical officer to prepare a special ward and stock up all the medicines and diet. Accordingly, we will utilise an air-conditioned room as the special ward. Sunstroke victims will be treated on a priority basis. Other hospitals will also do the same," said the mayor.

The maximum temperature in the city has already surpassed records. It had touched a maximum 39.7°C on March 3. "It is just the beginning of March and the mercury is touching the 40°C mark. I am scared to think what is in store," said Jagamara resident Satya Mohanty.