Odisha Govt directs Collectors to remain prepared for possible cyclone

Bhubaneswar, May 5:  The Odisha Government on Thursday directed collectors of 18 districts to remain fully prepared to face the onslaught of possible cyclone in the next two to three days.

Special Relief Commissioner asked these collectors to ensure that the District Emergency Operation Centre and Control Rooms of other offices must operate round the clock with adequate manpower.

The districts which are likely to have the impact of the cyclone are Ganjam, Gajapati, Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Kondhmal.

The SRC said that all communication equipment such as telephones and faxes were in working condition and check the satellite phones provided were needed to the tested also.

The SRC further said that satellite phones, digital mobile radio communication systems have been established in six coastal districts under the EWDS project and these can be used in case of need.

Directing the District Magistrates  to identify vulnerable persons, he said they need to be shifted to safer places on priority basis and detailed evacuation plan be set in place.

“Identify the people living in Kuccha houses and vulnerable persons such as elderly, people with disabilities, women and children and move them to designated geo-tagged shelter buildings,” the SRC directed.

Further, all safe shelter buildings, including permanent and temporary may be identified and all designated buildings be geo-tagged, Jena said.

The Special Relief Commissioner further directed that a team comprising three local officials—two male and one female such as ASHA, AWW, lady constable, lady teacher, lady constable or lady Home Guard—be kept incharge of each shelter.

The exercise need to be completed by May 6, Jena said.

Instructions were also given for checking all cyclone and flood shelter by the local Block Development Officers or Tehsildars for water, functional toilets, generators, inflatable tower lights, mechanical cutters and other equipment available in the shelter.

The SRC said that as power supply is cut off during the peak period of the cyclone all offices should make their backup power arrangements.

Generators available in the different offices including health institutions should be immediately checked and adequate fuel stored, he directed.

The officials were also directed to follow regular IMD forecasts and warnings.