Collector mandates midday work reschedule amid heat alert in Pune

The advisory follows warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department. Representational Pic/File

As Pune grapples with severe heatwave conditions, District Collector Jitendra Dudi has issued an official heat alert. To mitigate the risks of extreme weather, industries, factories, and contractors have been directed to reschedule all labour-intensive tasks, specifically halting operations between 12 and 4 pm when temperatures peak.

The advisory follows warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department that temperatures are likely to remain above normal in the coming months. Recent data highlights the severity. Lohegaon recorded 43.2 degrees Celcius, the highest temperature in Pune, while Shivajinagar recorded 40.8 degrees C. Shivajinagar's minimum temperature touched 27.4 degrees C, making it the fourth-highest May night temperature on record and the highest since 2010.

Worker safety

The administration has introduced sector-specific guidelines to safeguard the workforce. Employers must eliminate heavy outdoor labour during peak hours and are now required to provide shaded rest areas, cooling facilities, and electrolyte-enriched water. Factories and mines have been directed to allow frequent rest breaks and deploy workers in pairs during outdoor assignments.

Authorities have also advised regular health check-ups and awareness drives on heat-related illnesses.

Public measures

Special awareness campaigns will be conducted for construction workers, brick kiln labourers, daily-wage earners, and those employed in the unorganised sector.

Guidelines have also been issued for gram sabhas, yatras, religious events and other public gatherings. Organisers have been directed to arrange health staff, emergency medical kits, drinking water and temporary cooling zones. Authorities have also advised rescheduling programmes planned during peak heat hours.

Rising temperatures

Weather experts attributed the sharp rise in temperatures to dry northerly winds from Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, clear skies and weakening atmospheric systems.