An NGO has come forward to do its bit in saving the elderly and traffic cops from the scorching sun as heat wave continues to singe most part of the state.

The Chaibasa unit of Giants Group on Saturday distributed umbrellas to nearly 150 elderly persons and several traffic cops in Chaibasa, the headquarters of the iron-ore rich West Singhbhum district.

“Giants is an acronym for Generosity, Integrity, Action, Nobility, Truthfulness and Service. These qualities are manifestations of good solid citizenship. As part of the ideology of the Giants movement, we tried to do our bit for the elderly, especially from humble backgrounds, and traffic cops on duty at major roundabouts. This was our first phase of distribution,” said Vivek Dodrajka, president of the Giants Group of Chaibasa, and a businessman.

Dodrajka said they were planning to host similar distribution programmes every fortnight in the summer.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented heat wave and would distribute umbrellas for the senior citizens and traffic cops at least every fortnight in Chaibasa and on the outskirts,” he said.

West Singhbhum deputy commissioner Ananya Mittal, who was present during the distribution as the chief guest, appreciated the gesture of the NGO.

“These are small gestures but send a strong message in the society and we hope that other groups also take cue and come forward for the marginalised during the scorching summer,” Mittal said.

After a span of nearly two months, there were moderate thunderstorms accompanied with rains in Jamshedpur, Ranchi and a few other parts of the state, bringing slight respite from the sweltering heat.

“There will be no respite from the heat wave conditions for the next 72 hours. We have extended the heat wave alert,” said S.C. Mandal, a senior meteorologist at the Ranchi Meteorological Centre.

Since power crisis and loadsheddings are causing discomfort to the residents, Jharkhand energy department principal secretary Avinash Kumar on Friday issued a letter to the general managers of Jharkhand Urja Sanchar Nigam Limited and other power corporations to be personally present in the state load despatch centre and regulate power cuts.