Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Sept 30: The state government Wednesday discussed with senior officials of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), India Meteorological Department (IMD) and National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on tackling possible cyclone and flood situations in state.
The state had witnessed cyclones Phailin and Hudhud in the month of October in the past two years. So, the senior officials of the departments concerned held the meeting to discuss ways to deal with any such eventuality in advance, official sources said.
“All of us come together here to sit with the state government and discuss issues which we can handle in advance. We have discussed with the state government officials and took note of what they need from us,” NDMA member secretary RK Jain said after attending the meeting.
The officials also discussed measures needed to be taken to handle possible cyclones more effectively, he said.
“As Orissa is a cyclone-prone state, we have deployed one battalion of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and are ready to provide whatever support the state needs,” director general (DG) of NDRF OP Singh said.
The NDRF team will not only help the state in rescue operations, it would also support capacity-building programmes, Singh said, adding, “We are ready to provide required training to them.”
DG of IMD LS Rathore said, “We have discussed how to provide pre-cyclone information immediately to the people by using technology. We have decided to provide the information through SMSes.”
Some technical issues like strengthening the roofs of pucca houses in the coastal areas were also discussed at the meeting, informed special relief commissioner GVV Sarma.
The meeting was presided over by development commissioner UN Behera and attended by senior officials from different state government departments.
