Bhubaneswar: Amid ongoing heatwave conditions in Odisha, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has directed personnel engaged in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2026 to avoid outdoor work between 12 pm and 3 pm.

In a letter to District Election Officers, Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, and Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), the CEO’s office advised adopting flexible working hours for field activities such as door-to-door verification and site visits. As per the directive, officials may work in two shifts: from 6 am to 11 am and from 4 pm to 7 pm depending on local weather conditions and heatwave intensity.

The SIR 2026 exercise is scheduled to be conducted across the state from May to September 2026 and will involve extensive field-level activities, including house-to-house visits, enrolment camps, filing of claims and objections, and elector facilitation services until the final electoral roll is published.

Given the likelihood of intense heatwave conditions during May, June, and July, the CEO’s office has issued guidelines to safeguard field personnel and the public. Officials, including BLOs, BLO Supervisors, AEROs, and EROs, have been advised to stay adequately hydrated by consuming water, ORS, and electrolyte solutions at regular intervals.

“All officials engaged in SIR activities will be sensitised about heatwave precautions, identification of heat stress and heatstroke symptoms, as well as basic first aid and emergency response procedures,” the directive stated.

Meanwhile, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar has forecast intense heatwave conditions in several districts of the state till May 30. It also warned of heatwave and warm night conditions in isolated areas of Sambalpur and Bolangir, and heatwave conditions in Boudh district. Red warnings have been issued for these regions.