Bhubaneswar, Mar 2: In anticipation of the intense summer season, the Odisha Higher Education Department has rolled out a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Heat Wave Management for all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) across the state, officials said on Monday.

 The directive aims to safeguard the health and well-being of students, faculty, and staff by ensuring proactive preparedness and precautionary measures.

According to the official statement, colleges and universities have been advised to reschedule classes, internal assessments, and examinations during morning hours wherever possible, minimizing exposure to peak heat conditions. Outdoor academic, sports, and co-curricular activities have been restricted during the afternoon, with instructions to conduct them only during cooler periods of the day and under adequate safeguards.

The SOP emphasizes uninterrupted access to safe drinking water across campuses. Institutions must maintain adequate stocks of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) and ensure their availability in classrooms, hostels, common areas, and examination centers. Regular inspection and repair of tubewells, hand pumps, and water facilities have also been mandated to prevent supply disruptions.

To address heat-related medical exigencies, colleges and universities are instructed to keep basic first aid facilities ready. Designated personnel must be identified to provide immediate assistance in cases of dehydration, dizziness, or heat exhaustion. Heads of institutions have been tasked with sensitizing students, faculty, and staff about precautionary measures, including hydration, recognizing early symptoms of heat stress, and following dos and don’ts during extreme heat conditions.

 
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Parents and guardians have also been advised to ensure that students carry drinking water while attending classes and examinations. The Higher Education Department has issued letters to all state public and private universities, as well as degree colleges, directing strict compliance with the SOP.

This initiative underscores Odisha’s proactive approach to tackling rising temperatures and protecting its academic community from the adverse effects of heatwaves.