Phase 2 Lok Sabha Polls: IMD predicts normal weather conditions

Hyderabad: The India Meteorological Department informed the Election Commission that there is no major concern about heatwave conditions for Phase 2 of the General Elections scheduled on April 26. Given reports of above-normal temperatures and heatwaves in parts of the country, the commission met with stakeholders on Monday morning to discuss measures to mitigate risk.

IMD said that the weather forecast will be normal for the 13 States/UTs going for polls in Phase 2.

Discussions with weather management agencies

The commission on Monday held a meeting with agencies such as IMD, NDMA and MoHFW to understand the developing weather situation and discuss measures to mitigate any risk due to hot weather conditions during General Elections.

The meeting was chaired by CEC Rajiv Kumar along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and was attended by the additional secretary Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Head of Department, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and DG Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

ECI constitutes a task force to watch heat conditions before every phase

The following decisions were taken during the meeting:

- A task force comprising officials from ECI, IMD, NDMA and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will review the impact of heat wave and humidity, five days before each polling phase for any concerning developments and mitigatory measures, if necessary.

- The commission directed MoHFW to issue necessary instructions to health authorities in states to prepare for and extend assistance in case of heatwave conditions affecting election operations.

- The commission will hold a separate review with State CEOs to ensure adequate arrangements at polling stations including tents, drinking water, fans, and other assured minimum facilities, etc.

- IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities shall be carried out among the public for precautionary measures to mitigate the heatwave impact in polling station areas.

EC monitoring weather reports

The commission has been closely monitoring the weather reports and will ensure the comfort and well-being of voters along with polling personnel and security forces, candidates and political party leaders.

Keeping in view the seriousness of the impact of weather on voters’ health, the commission had already issued an advisory on March 16 to all CEOs regarding ‘Prevention of Heat Wave Impact’ along with instructions regarding minimum facilities at polling stations and strict compliance by all CEOs in States/UTs.

The MoHFW and NDMA have also issued advisory/guidelines on mitigating the risk of heatwave-related issues earlier. MoHFW has directed all states to prepare a state action plan as part of their public health advisory.