Over the past two days, Akola has been experiencing scorching temperatures, making it the hottest city in India. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Akola, located in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, recorded a sweltering 45.8 degrees Celsius on Friday and 45.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday. These temperatures mark the highest recorded in the city this month.
In response to the extreme heat, Collector Ajit Kumbhar has imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) until May 31st to prevent potential heat-related incidents. The official order mandates establishments to provide sufficient drinking water and fans for their workers. Additionally, private coaching classes must adjust their timings to avoid the hottest hours of the day.
The order emphasizes the importance of mitigating the effects of heat stroke, instructing establishments to provide fans, drinking water, and sheds for workers. Additionally, the timings of private coaching classes for students must be modified to ensure they are not held during the afternoon. The order further prohibits workers in the industrial sector from working in direct sunlight.
The collector has emphasized the responsibility of establishment owners to establish adequate sheds for sun protection, arrange fans, coolers, or other cooling devices, and provide ample drinking water and first aid boxes. The order also mandates that private coaching classes should be conducted only up to 10 am and after 5 pm. If classes must be held between 10 am and 5 pm, arrangements for fans and coolers must be made at the coaching centers.
Temperatures have been steadily rising in various parts of the region in recent days. In Akola, the district administration has reported maximum temperatures ranging from above 44 degrees Celsius to a peak of 45.8 degrees Celsius. On May 26, 2020, Akola recorded a scorching 47.4 degrees Celsius, making it the second hottest city in the country.
