Odisha Government Issues Summer Power Supply Directive Amid Heatwave Forecast
In response to escalating temperatures, Odisha's Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister, K V Singh Deo, has issued a crucial directive to power distribution companies (discoms) on Monday. The order mandates that discoms must not disconnect electricity supply for domestic consumers due to pending bills until the onset of the monsoon season. This move aims to alleviate public distress during the peak summer months.
Strict Instructions Against Arbitrary Power Cuts
Singh Deo emphasized the government's commitment to ensuring uninterrupted power supply, warning discoms against resorting to arbitrary outages. He stated, "This direction has been issued for the summer months until the onset of the monsoon. We do not want people to suffer during this harsh period." Additionally, he instructed that any necessary power interruptions for repair or maintenance work must be communicated to consumers in advance through SMS and other channels, allowing them to prepare accordingly.
IMD Forecasts Rising Temperatures and Heatwave Conditions
The directive coincides with a forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting a further increase in temperatures across Odisha. Manorama Mohanty, director of IMD Bhubaneswar, indicated that day temperatures are likely to rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in several parts of the state next week. Districts in south and western Odisha are expected to experience heatwave conditions, while coastal areas may face uncomfortable and humid weather in the coming days.
Public Response and Government Focus
Residents have welcomed the minister's order, expressing hope for relief from unscheduled power cuts. Sujit Nayak, a resident of Rajnagar in Kendrapada district, commented, "Unscheduled power cuts during summer are like punishing people without any offense. I hope discoms will follow this directive." A senior energy department officer highlighted the state government's focus on ensuring households are not left without electricity during one of the harshest periods of the year, as temperatures are set to climb further.
The government's action follows numerous complaints from various parts of the state regarding outages, which have exacerbated public discomfort. By implementing these measures, authorities aim to mitigate the impact of the impending heatwave and ensure essential services remain accessible to all citizens.
