Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has reviewed the preparedness for possible Cyclone Yaas and laid emphasis on protecting the lives of the people and ensure “zero casualty”. The Odisha CM addressed a video conferencing this evening with senior officials of different departments.
“Our main aim is to prevent casualty,” the Odisha CM said and added that in the current situation, the most important thing is to relocate people living in low-lying areas and in vulnerable areas.
The Chief Minister has directed the district Collectors and Superintendents of Police to monitor the work in person. Besides, he also directed the Chief Secretary to monitor preparedness for the cyclone and provide necessary advice to the district administrations.
The Chief Minister said that according to the Meteorological Centre, a cyclonic storm is likely to form in the Bay of Bengal in the next two days. However, its course of movement is yet to be ascertained.
“Therefore, all the coastal districts and their adjoining areas have been asked to stay fully prepared and take all necessary precautions for heavy rains and winds,” said the CM.
The Odisha Chief Minister also suggested that the disaster management teams:- ODRAF, NDRF, Road Clearing Machines, and all the necessary equipment for carrying out rescue operations be kept prepared in view of the possible cyclone.
Laying emphasis on restoring road, electricity, and telecom communications after the possible cyclone, the Odisha CM asked the officials to keep ready all teams and necessary equipment. He also advised to rope in additional teams and equipment from other states if necessary.
The Chief Minister suggested that special attention should be given to the uninterrupted supply of oxygen due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation. Patnaik directed that special measures be taken to ensure that there is no disruption in the supply of oxygen within and outside the state during the cyclone.
“We are facing cyclones almost every year now and the structures are being made disaster resilient. But the pandemic situation has made it further complicated, said the Odisha CM. “Taking the situation into consideration, the administration will be fully prepared and ensure a flawless preparation process,” he added.
The Chief Minister also said that the state government is fully prepared to tackle the possible cyclone. He further advised the people not to panic and heed the advice of the authorities while taking the necessary precautions.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said preparatory meetings were being held regularly to deal with the possible cyclone. “All concerned departments are ready and shelters have been set up to relocate people, said the Chief Secretary. He added that the teams and equipment needed to restore water and electricity are in readiness.
In a presentation, Development Commissioner and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena said that accurate information on the course of the storm would be available by tomorrow evening.
“All sorts of preparations have been made to deal with the storm. As many as 22 NDRF teams, 66 ODRAF teams (Formations), 177 fire services teams are on readiness for rescue operations. Besides, additional shelters have also been identified for multi-purpose. Covid regulations will be followed in all relocation process,” he said.
The telecom and electricity departments have also been instructed to be ready for restoration immediately. Further, the districts have been advised to take all pregnant women to the hospital within the first week of June, the Odisha SRC added.
Mr. Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries, briefed on the supply of oxygen, saying that adequate arrangements have been made to stock up oxygen. “All refilling stations have been given additional DG sets and districts have been instructed to refill all oxygen cylinders in advance,” he said. “Even though there is a possibility cyclone, the supply of oxygen to other states will continue as before,” he said.
During the meeting, the Collectors of Balasore, Bhadrak, Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts informed about their preparations for the possible cyclone. As many as 1,223 shelters have been identified in Balasore, 700 in Bhadrak, 970 in Kendrapara and 223 in Jagatsinghpur.
The meeting was attended by Chief Advisor to Odisha Chief Minister, DGP Abhay, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) PK Mohapatra.
