Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik asked state government officials Saturday to review the preparedness at all levels to tackle possible floods and cyclones.
Addressing the State Level Natural Calamity Committee here, Patnaik said, “We should remain prepared for any other kind of emergency.”
Adequate measures in respect of early warning systems, rescue and relief operations, the supply of drinking water, health and veterinary services must be put in place, he told the officials.
The Chief Minister said that Odisha is prone to multiple and recurring disasters. It is more prone to floods and cyclones.
Last year, Patnaik said as many as 24 districts were affected by floods and heavy rain, but we managed it successfully.
He said Odisha has been awarded the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Award for the year 2023 by the Government of India for exemplary preparedness and management of disasters.
The tragic Train Accident at Bahanaga in Balasore district is still vivid in our memory, in which 292 people died and hundreds of passengers were injured.Patnaik said that the state responded quickly, rescued the trapped passengers, shifted injured people to hospitals through a green corridor, mobilised hundreds of doctors, paramedics and saved thousands of lives.
The Chief Minister stated that following the severe and extended heatwaves from April to June, we have had respite with the onset of the southwest monsoon.
However, the period from June to October is a crucial period for us during which drought, flood, or cyclone may occur, Patnaik added.
The ODRAF units and Fire services should remain alert for immediate response at any place at any time, Patnaik said, and he directed that the control rooms in districts and departments be functional round the clock.
He further said the SATARK web and mobile apps have been developed to disseminate real-time weather and disaster-related updates. This should be a single-window platform to communicate location-based information on all disasters to citizens to save precious human lives.
The Chief Minister asked the Collectors to give special attention to vulnerable people like pregnant women, physically and mentally challenged persons, young children, widows, and the elderly during rescue and relief operations.
He said there should be an immediate clearance of relief lines and restoration of lifeline infrastructure in the aftermath of disasters.
UNI