Bhubaneswar: Three cities of the country including Bhubaneswar will get an action plan ahead of summer season to beat the heat.

Canada-based International Development Research Centre and Delhi-based Integrated Research and Action for Development will partner to develop the Heat Stress Action Plan for Bhubaneswar, Delhi and Rajkote. Officials of the three cities have been asked to present data during a three-day conference in Delhi starting from January 31.

Chief General Manager, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) Pradeep Nayak said “Discussions will be held on how to reduce heat stress and how to adapt,” stating further that it will be a three-year project.

In 2012, Bhubaneswar was the hottest town of the State. The city had recorded 46.7 degree Celsius on June 6. Similarly, the city had recorded 46.3 degree Celsius on June 12, 2005.

Sarat Chandra Sahu, director of the Regional Meteorological Centre, stated, “Rapid urbanisation fuelled by increasing population in cities is mainly responsible for the rise in temperature.”

Secretary of the Odisha Environment Committee, Jaya Krushna Panigrahy said “Plantation should be carried out in the city to keep the temperatures in check. Besides, water bodies in the city should be renovated and revived at the earliest.”