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Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Wednesday directed all the departments and local administrations to be in readiness to tackle possible flood like situations this monsoon as the IMD has predicted surplus rain this year.
The direction came at a state-level natural calamity meeting at the Secretariat here.
“The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted surplus rainfall in 2016. Therefore, probability of flood is very high. Keeping this in view, we have to remain in full state of preparedness,” said Patnaik at the meeting, adding, “Every department should have its standard operating procedure ready and carry out mock drills to fine-tune preparedness.”
The collectors and department officials have been instructed to remain in full preparedness to effectively meet the possible floods, the CM added.
Stating that all breaches on the embankments have been mended, Patnaik directed the water resources department to ensure that adequate flood-fighting materials are stored near weak and vulnerable points on the river embankments.”
Patnaik directed the FSCW department to ensure adequate stock of food materials and other essential commodities in inaccessible flood-prone areas. Rural development and H&UD departments were told to ensure arrangement for supply of safe drinking water to the flood-hit areas.
The fisheries and animal resources development department was also asked to make arrangements for safety of animals.
Similarly, health and family welfare department was asked to make advance arrangements to take care of health and hygiene in flood affected areas to prevent outbreak of epidemics.
Patnaik directed the engineering departments to remain in preparedness for immediate restoration of essential services and public utilities in case of breakdown or damage.
The CM also said his government has created 10 Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) units in addition to existing 10 units which would be deployed for rescue and relief operations. “This apart, we have 293 fire stations and 42 more stations shall be set up soon to undertake rescue and relief operations during flood,” he pointed out.
“The boats available with the State Port Engineering Organisation under the Special Relief Commissioner must also be ready with crew to undertake relief operations,” he said.
“The state had experienced several natural disasters, including severe drought, last year which had affected over 29,000 villages in 233 blocks of 27 districts,” said the CM.
The government has provided `826 crore to the collectors for disbursement of agriculture input subsidy to the affected farmers and asked them to complete the disbursement by July end.