Bhubaneswar: Amid rising temperatures across Odisha, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari has indicated that census operations may be temporarily halted if the heatwave intensifies.

Speaking on the matter, the minister said reports have emerged of some officials falling ill while carrying out census duties under extreme weather conditions. In response, a departmental review meeting has been convened to assess the situation.

Following this meeting with senior officials, another round of discussions will be held with personnel directly engaged in census work. The government is expected to release a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) soon to ensure the safety and well-being of field staff, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the state government has already ordered the closure of schools and colleges in several districts until April 23 due to the prevailing heatwave conditions. The minister added that the closure period may be extended further if temperatures continue to rise.