New Delhi: Keeping in view the formation of Cyclone Yaas, which is expected to make a landfall later this month, the Union government has asked the states to ready essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies.
Secretary of the health ministry, Rajesh Bhushan wrote the letter to Chief Secretary of States of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and Administrator of Andaman and Nicobar Island to draw attention for taking immediate necessary measures, in all coastal districts.
“As per information provided by IMD, a low pressure area is very likely to form over North Andaman Sea and likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by May 24, likely to move northwestwards and reach near Odisha West Bengal coasts around morning of May 26, as of now. Apart from the impact of Cyclone in Odisha and West Bengal, there may be widespread rains in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and districts of the east coast that may cause inland flooding,” Bhushan told Chief Secretaries.
“Activate the Health Sector Incident Command System and Emergency Operation Centre/Control Room. Identify a Nodal Officer and convey his contact details to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” he added.
In view of public health challenges already posed by the COVID-19 pandemic may be compounded due to the direct impact of COVID and public health risks posed in terms of waterborne, vector borne and airborne diseases that may arise in the community or in the displaced population in camps/ temporary shelter settings, he urged the Chief Secretaries to take immediate necessary measures in all the coastal districts.
Asking the chief secretaries to activate health sector DM plan and the hospital Disaster Management Plan of all the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh, Andaman Islands, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, Bhushan said the emergency department preparedness in all these hospitals needs to be reviewed.
“There should be adequate power back up arrangements for all the hospitals, labs, vaccine cold chain and Oxygen generation units (MLO, PSA plants) other supportive medical facilities. The availability of water, electricity and fuel for the health facilities in affected districts shall be ensured. vii. It needs to be ensured that health facilities are stocked with adequate essential medicines and supplies to meet any exigencies arising due to disruption on movement of vehicles, due to high wind and heavy rainfall”, read the letter.
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