Bhubaneswar: May 11: Secretary Sri Rajiv Gauba complimented Odisha’s response to the extremely severe cyclone Amphan, particularly in minimizing the loss of life to the least.
He said this while reviewing the immediate post-cyclone scenario in the State with Chief Secretary Sri Asit Tripathy today morning through a video conference.
Chief Secretary Sri Tripathy thanked IMD for their accurate prediction about path and intensity of the cyclone; and, said that it helped Odisha in making advance preparations.
The community was made aware and alert through 61.26 lakh SMS messages, vehicle mounted megaphones, alert siren and voice messages from 46 towers in vulnerable areas. The administrative setup to the village level was kept in all readiness.
The prepositioned teams included 16 NDRF, 15 ODRAF, 217 Fire service teams, 75 OFDC teams. Apada Mitras and Task force teams were also prepositioned in strategic locations.
Besides, 20 OFDC, 4 ODRAF and 17 Fire service teams were kept stand by for immediate for immediate response in case of any eventuality.
Around 500 DG sets, 1513 inflammable tower lights and 1500 chain-shaws were deployed.
Further, Chief Secretary Sri Tripathy appraised that as per the instant preliminary reports received by today morning, around 89 blocks, 1500 GPs and 6745 villages have been affected.
Around 2,00,400 people have been evacuated and sheltered in 3228 cyclone shelters and other safe buildings keeping in view the norms of ‘social distancing’. All fishermen were brought back from the seas.
Around 22050 number of fishing boats in coastal districts were berthed in safe places. About 210 medical teams and 75 veterinary teams have started their operation in affected areas. Around 44 lakh consumers under the power distribution companies like CESU and NESCO have been affected.
Cleaning of road and restoration of power supply is on fast track. Pre-positioned teams have already started operation. Drinking water supply resumed. Power supply to around 80% of the affected electricity consumers in CESU area has been restored. Around 86% of the mobile connectivity has been restored. Crop loss has taken place in more than one lakh hectors. Damage assessment is going on; and, it will be finalized in a couple of days.
Additional Chief Secretary and SRC Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Principal Secretary Home Sri Sanjeev Chopra, Principal Secretary Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Sri Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Energy Bishnupanda Sethi, Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment Sri Sourav Garg along with senior officers from respective departments joined Chief Secretary in this VC.
Cabinet Secretary Sri Gauba assured all help from various departments of Government of India, and, asked the Secretaries of both Central and State Government to stay connected with each other.
