Bhubaneswar: In the wake of a possible cyclone brewing in the Bay of Bengal, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC)-cum-Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena on Thursday held meetings with multiple agencies to review preparedness. Jena said that 18 districts are likely to be affected, in case the cyclone occurs.
“In this respect, I held a meeting with Collectors of these districts and asked them to scale up preparedness. They will come up with details and plans by Friday evening, following which further instructions will be issued,” the SRC said.
Jena held a separate meeting with officials of NDRF, ODRAF and Odisha Fire Service today. In a presser today evening he said, “There are 17 teams of the NDRF, 20 of ODRAF, and 175 Fire Service teams ready. These can be mobilised at any moment as per the need of the hours. The ODRAF teams can be further divided into 60 sub-units in case of any eventuality and requirement.”
In a meeting with Principal Secretaries of Energy, Housing and Urban Development, and Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, the SRC advised laying priority on energy restoration and drinking water supply, in the aftermath of the possible event. All the DISCOMs operating in Odisha have been asked to be on alert.
Jena appealed the public not to hoard essentials. “We have seen summer cyclones in the past such as Fani, Amphan, and Yaas. These are one-day events when the markets remain closed. There will be no snapping of the supply chain lines. So, I urge all not to restrain from panic buying.”
In a meeting with Municipal Commissioners and Collectors, the SRC instructed to take strict action against traders and businessmen who hoard essential commodities or sell those at abnormal rates.
“All agencies of the Government at the State-level and district-level are fully prepared to deal with the possible event. As of now, the picture is not clear, whether there will be a cyclone, will it impact Odisha, where and when will be the landfall, and what would be the intensity? As we have more details handy, further information will be dissipated,” the SRC added.
Pradeep Kumar Jena, Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha
