This city in Maharashtra enforces Section 144 due to a heatwave alert, with temperatures surpassing 45 degrees Celsius.

Over the past two days, Akola has been the hottest city in Maharashtra, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The city, located in Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region, registered a maximum temperature of 45.8 degrees Celsius on Friday and 45.6 degrees Celsius on Saturday, marking the highest temperatures of the season in the city this month.

In response to the extreme heat, District Collector Ajit Kumbhar enforced Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) until May 31 due to potential heatwave conditions, reported news agency.

In an official order, the collector directed establishments to provide sufficient drinking water and fans for workers. Additionally, private coaching class timings must be adjusted to avoid the afternoon heat. “It is necessary to provide fans, drinking water, and sheds to the workers, change the timings of private coaching classes for students, and implement other measures effectively so that people do not suffer from heat stroke,” the order read.

The order further specified that industrial workers should not work under the sun. “It will be the responsibility of the establishment’s owner to prepare adequate sheds for protection from heat stroke, arrange fans, coolers, or other devices, and provide adequate drinking water and first aid boxes,” the collector said as quoted by News agency.

The directive also stated that private coaching classes should be conducted up to 10 am and after 5 pm. If classes are held between 10 am and 5 pm, arrangements for fans and coolers must be made at the coaching centers.

Temperatures have steadily increased across various parts of the Vidarbha region over the past few days. In Akola, the district administration reported maximum temperatures ranging from above 44 degrees Celsius to a peak of 45.8 degrees Celsius.

Historically, on May 26, 2020, Akola recorded a temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius, making it the second hottest city in the country on that day.