With the south-west monsoon setting in over Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed the various government departments to be ready to tackle floods and cyclones. He directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services personnel to remain alert.
“Our State is quite prone to calamities. During 2016, our State did not suffer any major disaster except the heat wave, heavy rain and localised floods. The south-west monsoon has already set in Odisha. Some parts of the State have received good rain. The period from June to October is a crucial period as far as natural calamities are concerned,” Mr. Patnaik said, chairing the State-level committee on natural calamities here.
He directed the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and fire services personnel to remain alert. Sufficient quantity of food materials, water and also cattle feed should be stored in vulnerable and inaccessible areas.
Round-the-clock control rooms should be made operational in districts and various departments.Special attention should be paid to be vulnerable population such as pregnant women and the physically challenged, he said.
Volunteers trained
The government on Monday conducted mock drills at all cyclone shelters. Volunteers’ preparedness in search and rescue operations and first-aid techniques were examined. Different equipment such as tower lights, mechanised cutters, generators, stretcher and mega phones were also checked. New volunteers were trained in the use of these equipment.
The ODRAF, National Disaster Response Force and fire service personnel also exhibited their skill in search and rescue operations. People’s representatives were also informed about their roles and responsibility. Mock drill on disaster preparedness is conducted on June 19 every year.