Bhubaneswar: The state government Monday sounded alert in all districts ahead of the unfolding of a possible cyclonic storm, Kyant even as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called an emergency meeting Tuesday to review preparedness to tackle the eventuality.
Even though the Met department was yet to confirm the impact of the cyclone on the state, the government cancelled leave of doctors and medical staff at government hospitals asking them to remain on duty during the crucial period.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Mohapatra, in his letter to all district collectors, Monday said, the state government is well prepared to face any eventuality. “We have asked district collectors, ODRAF and fire service units to be on alert,” Mohapatra said.
The SRC advised farmers to keep harvested crops covered in their yards to avoid possible loss and damage. He said fishermen have been asked to not venture into the sea during this period.
Mohapatra, on the other hand, asked people not to panic as the system might not have much impact on Orissa and may move towards Bangladesh as the IMD has predicted.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has convened an emergency meeting Tuesday to review state-level preparedness to counter the cyclonic storm.
Sources in revenue and disaster management department said Patnaik will take stock of the state’s preparedness in presence of Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, R&DM secretary and other senior bureaucrats.
Meanwhile, the state health department ordered opening of a 24X7 control room during the upcoming emergency. It cancelled leave of all its officials. “All medical and paramedical staff need to be present in their headquarters and leave shouldn’t be allowed during this period,” a health department statement said.
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