Haryana CS review measures to tackle ongoing heat wave conditions in state

Chandigarh: The Haryana Chief Secretary, TVSN Prasad on Wednesday conducted a comprehensive review of the measures being implemented to tackle the ongoing heat wave conditions in the State.

While presiding over a meeting with senior officers of various departments here the Chief Secretary emphasized the directives issued by Chief Minister, Nayab Singh to ensure uninterrupted power and drinking water supply in the State keeping in view the unprecedented heat wave conditions.

The Chief Secretary expressed satisfaction with the current power availability in the State. However, he stressed the importance of addressing any localized power breakdowns promptly. He instructed power utilities to form additional teams specifically tasked with resolving local power issues quickly and efficiently. He directed daily monitoring of the electricity supply in the State and sent feeder wise reports to him after every 48 hours so that timely steps could be taken whenever needed.

In areas facing drinking water shortages, the Chief Secretary directed the Public Health Engineering and Urban Local Bodies departments to deploy additional water tankers to ensure an uninterrupted water supply so that people do not face any inconvenience. Stating that there is no shortage of water in the State, he directed to ensure the supply of drinking water in villages right upto tail end in the State. He also directed that Deputy Commissioners submit regular reports on the status of power and water supply measures in their respective districts, ensuring continuous monitoring and swift action when needed.

While enumerating the details of steps taken to ensure adequate supply of electricity and drinking water in the State, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Health Engineering and Energy Department, A.K Singh said that over 25.47crore units of electricity has been supplied in the State yesterday on May 28, 2024 which is 72 per cent more as compared to corresponding period last year.

He maintained that special teams have been constituted by UHBVN and DHBVN to monitor and promptly address the power related complaints at local level and for immediate restoration of power supply. He said that despite extreme hot weather conditions, “we have been able to maintain a regular supply of electricity in the State”. He made it clear that there is no shortage of electricity in the State. The power breakdown occurs in some areas due to technical faults developed as a result of extreme heat wave conditions and the same are being resolved at the earliest by the teams of Power Utilities.

Singh said that a control room has been established at district level to address the complaints regarding drinking water. Besides, water supply is also being ensured through tankers as per the demand. He said that as many as 888 water tankers have been outsourced by the Department for this purpose.

Commissioner and Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Pankaj Agarwal said that intense heatwave and soaring temperatures have increased the pace of snow melting, leading to increased water inflows in the rivers and dams. The Department is making adequate supply of water for the canal-based water supply schemes in the State.

The measures being taken by the Health Department was also reviewed in detail. It was informed that an advisory has already been issued by the Department to mitigate the ill effects of heat waves in the State. Besides, all health facilities have been provided with sufficient numbers of drugs and logistics, ORS Packets, essential medicines, fluids, ice packs etc.