With searing heatwave conditions sweeping across the coal belt region, the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has issued orders rescheduling the work timings of coal miners in the opencast projects (OCPs) of the company.
According to the SCCL sources, the working hours have been altered for the staff of the OCPs in view of the prevailing intense heatwave conditions in the mining areas. Temperatures have soared above 45 degrees Celsius in many parts of the coal belt region over the last few days. The revised schedule is as follows: First and general shift 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., second shift 4 p.m. to 12 midnight and third shift 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. The revised schedule came into force from Thursday. The SCCL had initiated a slew of heatwave mitigation measures such as distribution of Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets and buttermilk to the staff of the coal mines in all the areas of the Kothagudem region.
The company had also set up some sheds close to the mining areas to provide shade to the workers during rest. Gunny bags covered sheds give some cool atmosphere when the gunny cloth is soaked in water at regular intervals.
