Odisha plans heatwave relief centres in high-temperature zones
Synopsis
Odisha is moving to institutionalise heatwave response the way it has cyclones and floods — with dedicated relief centres in extreme-heat zones. Minister Suresh Pujari says the rollout could begin this summer, marking a significant shift in how India's most disaster-prone states treat heat as a formal emergency category.
Key Takeaways
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced plans on 28 April for dedicated heatwave relief centres across the state.
Centres will be modelled on existing cyclone and flood shelters , offering rest facilities, drinking water, and basic amenities.
A decision on construction was expected from a meeting held Tuesday ; the government aims to operationalise centres this summer.
Outdoor labour has been restricted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. ; sprinklers ordered in mining areas.
Schools and Anganwadi centres have been directed to adjust timings to protect children from extreme heat.
The initiative will be expanded gradually across all high-temperature zones in the state.
Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Tuesday, 28 April said the state government is considering establishing dedicated heatwave relief centres across the state, particularly in areas prone to extreme heat, as part of a broader summer preparedness drive. The announcement was made during a media interaction in Bhubaneswar.
What the Proposed Centres Will Offer
According to Minister Pujari, the proposed heatwave relief centres would be modelled on the lines of existing cyclone and flood shelters already operational in Odisha. The centres are envisioned to provide temporary rest facilities, drinking water, and basic amenities for people affected by extreme heat — particularly those travelling during peak afternoon hours.
"We are trying to implement this from this year itself. In areas where temperatures reach around 40 degrees Celsius, such centres may be set up at key locations so that people can take shelter, rest, and resume their journey once the temperature drops," Pujari said.
A meeting was scheduled for later on Tuesday, where a formal decision on the construction of these centres was expected to be taken. The Minister noted that similar facilities have already been established in some other parts of India.
Existing Measures Already in Place
Odisha has already rolled out a series of heat mitigation measures ahead of the peak summer season. The state government has issued orders restricting outdoor labour work between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to shield workers from extreme heat exposure. In mining areas, instructions have been given to install sprinklers to help cool down working environments.
The transport of goods and related operations are also being regulated during peak afternoon hours. Schools have been directed to adjust their timings, and Anganwadi centres are being managed to ensure the safety of children during the heatwave period.
Odisha's History with Extreme Weather
Minister Pujari noted that heatwaves are not a new challenge for Odisha, a state that regularly contends with multiple natural disasters — including floods during the monsoon season, cyclones along its coastline, and intense summer heat. He asserted that temperatures have been rising gradually both across the state and nationally, and that the government is fully prepared to respond.
The initiative, if approved, will be expanded gradually to all high-temperature zones across the state, forming part of Odisha's wider disaster preparedness and resilience framework.
What Comes Next
The outcome of Tuesday's meeting is expected to determine the timeline and locations for the first batch of heatwave relief centres. The government's stated aim is to operationalise at least some of these centres during the current summer season, with a phased rollout to follow in subsequent years as the infrastructure scales up.
Point of View
Or whether these centres remain seasonal stopgaps. With India's heat seasons lengthening and wet-bulb temperatures increasingly breaching safe thresholds, the difference between a shelter network and a press release is an implementation timeline. Odisha has the institutional muscle to execute; the test is whether Tuesday's meeting produces binding commitments or another round of consultations.
NationPress
3 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the proposed heatwave relief centres in Odisha?
These are dedicated shelters being planned by the Odisha government, modelled on existing cyclone and flood shelters, to provide temporary rest, drinking water, and basic amenities to people in extreme-heat zones. Minister Suresh Pujari said the government hopes to operationalise at least some centres during the current summer season.
Where will the heatwave relief centres be set up in Odisha?
The centres are planned for areas where temperatures reach around 40 degrees Celsius, to be located at key transit and public points. The initiative will be expanded gradually to all high-temperature zones across the state.
What other heatwave measures has Odisha already implemented?
The state has restricted outdoor labour between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., ordered sprinklers in mining areas, regulated goods transport during peak afternoon hours, and directed schools and Anganwadi centres to adjust timings to protect workers and children from extreme heat.
When will a decision on the heatwave relief centres be taken?
A formal meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, 28 April, where a decision on the construction and rollout of these centres was expected to be taken, according to Minister Suresh Pujari.
Why is Odisha particularly focused on heatwave preparedness?
Odisha is one of India's most disaster-prone states, regularly facing floods, cyclones, and extreme summer heat. Officials note that temperatures have been rising gradually across the state and country, prompting the government to treat heatwaves as a formal component of its disaster preparedness strategy.
