Bhubaneswar: The state government Monday asked concerned departments to keep their action plan ready and stay alert to tackle any eventuality arising out of the monsoon.
A direction to this effect was issued by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during a meeting of the state-level committees on natural calamities at the secretariat Monday. Stating that the period from June to October is a crucial period of the year from the natural calamities point of view, Patnaik said, adequate measures in respect of early warning system, recue and relief operation, supply of drinking water, health and veterinary services must be put in place.
“ODRAF units and fire services should remain alert for immediate response and sufficient quantity of food materials and cattle feed be stored at vulnerable and inaccessible areas,” he said while asking for ensuring provisions of green fodder and cattle camps during disaster.
Patnaik said special attention would be paid to vulnerable populations like pregnant women, physically and mentally challenged people, young children, widow and elderly population during rescue and relief operations. He asked officials to ensure that control rooms at district and department level function round the clock during this monsoon.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister claimed that “Orissa will be the first state in the country to make “Early Warning Dissemination System (EWDS)” operational. People will be issued disaster warnings through Siren Alert Towers in six coastal districts and other provisions will also be made which will help us in saving the lives and properties in the face of cyclone or tsunami.”
It was revealed in the meeting that state control rooms at state and district levels with 1070 and 1077 toll-free numbers have been put in place. The state government has identified 126 vulnerable river embankments including 11 highly vulnerable embankments and have taken required preventive measures. Motorised boats numbering 228 have been kept in various districts to carry out rescue operations along with 20 ODRAF teams.
Besides, district collectors have been asked to give day to day calamity management reports till October 15. A mock-drill for disaster preparedness was also conducted across the state.
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