Bhubaneswar: Amidst the fight against Corona, the Odisha government has warmed up the administrative set up for the impeding cyclones ,Amphan.
For the purpose, a high level meeting was held under thc chairmanship of chief secretary Asit Tripathy in Loksabha Bhawan, here on Friday. The additional chief secretary and Special Relief Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena outlined the issues and presented the updates for discussion.
Looking into the latest forecast of IMD, chief secretary Tripathy directed the district administration, more particularly the collectors of Gajapati, Ganjam, Puri, Nayagarh, Khordha. Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapada, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Mayurbhanj to stay prepared for the worst situation. Tripathy directed to keep watch over the vulnerable population near the coast and low laying areas; and, ready up the cyclone shelters with all necessary equipments like rescue instruments, first-aid, generator, tower light, power saw, dry food etc for any possible evacuation.
Collectors were also advised to identify additional RCC roof buildings for sheltering the evacuees in the view of the need for social distancing.
Chief secretary further directed to follow the principles of “zero causality” of the State government
Outlining the present position of the cyclone, SRC Jena said, “As per notices of IMD, there is a well-marked low pressure area over South East Bay of Bengal in the morning of which is likely to concentrate into a depression over central parts of south Bay of Bengal on 15th May and further intensify into a Cyclonic Storm over the same region by 16th May evening. It is very likely to move northwestward initially till 17th and then re-curve north northeastward towards north Bay of Bengal on 18th & 19th May. Government is in constant touch with IMD for latest updates”.
Ihe cyclone may cause “heavy to very heavy rainfall, squally winds of 40-50 kmph gusting to 60 kmph along and off south Odisha coast and Gale winds of 60-70 kmph gusting to 80 kmph along and off Odisha coast on 18th and 19th,May, 2020”
The Police., Fire, NDRF and ODRAF teams were asked to remain in all readiness for required operations. Chief secretary directed the home department and the police to pre-position the teams at critical points with necessary equipments. Government officers were directed to stay at head quarters and not avil any leave.
SRC Jena said, ” Satellite phones with collectors. ODRAF and others may be kept in readiness. Coastal districts should keep communication systems under EWDS such as DMR, Siren towers are also operational”
Agriculture department was asked to issue adviseries for reaping and transportation of the ripe crops to safe places. The Fisheries and Animal Resources department was asked to ensure that no fisherman moves to the sea.
Chief secretary directed the Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Department to ensure suflicient tarpaulins in procurement mandis in addition to storage of essential commodities and relief materials. Water Resource Department was asked to moniter the reservoirs and take steps for depletion, where required.
Health & FW Department was advised to ensure availability of essential medicines in hospitals at different levels; and to make arrangements for mobile health teams, relief health centres and sanitation. The concerned departments including Fisheries, Women & Child Development and Agriculture were asked to ensure all arrangements as per the SOP for cyclone.
Director General of Police Abhay, additional chief secretary health & family welfare Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra along with principal secretaries and secretaries of various departments participated in the discussions.
