Bhubaneswar: As part of its efforts to tackle possible cyclones in the coming Monsoon, the state government has decided to conduct mock drills in all the districts June 19 to warm up the cyclone response mechanism in the state.
A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi here Wednesday. Padhi directed the officials concerned to convene district-level pre-cyclone preparedness meetings by the end of this month and ensure all preparedness to deal with possible cyclones.
He also asked the officials to set up early warning dissemination systems in coastal areas and make functional those from this monsoon session. Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi said the installation of early warning dissemination systems has reached the final stage and would be completed by July. As many as 122 cyclone warning dissemination systems would be put in place in 22 blocks of six coastal districts, Sethi said.
With a view to providing emergency shelter to the affected people, 879 multipurpose cyclone centers are being constructed in different parts of the state, of which 736 have been completed while 15 others would be ready by the end of this month, sources said.
Issues relating to possibility of occurrence of cyclones, dissemination of warning, status of cyclone warning dissemination system, setting up of Doppler Radar stations, telecommunication arrangements for dissemination of information, functioning of alternative communication system like VHF sets, satellite phones, immediate restoration of power supply, readiness of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams and emergency equipment, deployment of boats were discussed at the meeting.
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