Bhubaneswar: May 16: Cabinet Secretary Sri Rajiv Gauba has appreciated the preparedness of Odisha for the impending cyclone amidst the operations for Covid-19. Sri Gauba reviewed the preparedness of Odisha with Chief Secretary Sri Asit Tripahy over video a conference today afternoon.
Outlining the State’s preparedness, Chief Sri Tripathy appraised, “we are in constant touch with IMD regarding the updates about the cyclone. The ODRAF, Fire service and NDRF teams are ready for emergency rescue and relief operation. They have been equipped with necessary instruments for such operation. Steps have been taken to preposition them in strategic points. Since power infrastructure is likely to be affected more, the power gangs are being pre positioned to start the immediate restoration as the cyclone passes away. Sri Tripathy added, “around 403 cyclone shelters have been identified in the area likely to be affected by the cyclone. Around 105 of such shelters are presently being used as temporary medical camps and quarantine centers for covid care. Covid test of the persons accommodated in these centers are being done expeditiously on priority so that persons with negative report can be sent for home quarantine. As a contingency arrangement, alternative buildings have also been identified for use as cyclone shelter, in case of the need for more evacuation”.
Further, Chief Secretary Sri Tripathy added, “as per the predicted path of the cyclone till now, around seven lakh people in 649 villages along the sea coast are likely to be severely affected. The standing crop in lakhs of hectors particularly, ripe summer paddy, pulses & oil seeds, cashew, mango, coconut and vegetables are likely to be damaged in the heavy rainfall and wind”. However, Chief Secretary added that “all 12 costal districts have been kept under alert and they are prepared for any eventuality of change in track of the cyclone”.
Development Commissioner Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary and SRC Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Additional Chief Secretary Health & Family Welfare Sri Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra along with Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of concerned departments participated in the video conference.
