Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Anu Garg chaired a high-level pre-cyclone preparedness meeting today to review the state’s readiness for the upcoming cyclone season.
The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary D.K. Singh, DG Fire Services Dr. S. Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner, senior officials of IMD, ODRAF, and Secretaries of all concerned departments.
Welcoming the participants, Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director of OSDMA, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, highlighted Odisha’s high vulnerability to cyclones due to its location along the Bay of Bengal. He noted that changing climatic conditions have increased the frequency and unpredictability of cyclonic events. Patil reiterated the state’s firm commitment to its “Zero Casualty” mission through robust preparedness, better coordination, and timely dissemination of early warnings.
Director of Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar, Dr. Manorama Mohanty, informed the meeting that there is currently no possibility of a cyclone along the Odisha coast. However, she advised the state to maintain full preparedness at all levels.
The ADG (Law & Order) informed that 30 ODRAF teams are on standby and ready for immediate deployment for search and rescue operations. Various departments including Water Resources, Health & Family Welfare, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Energy, Food Supplies, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, and Housing & Urban Development presented their preparedness measures.
These included reservoir management, restoration of roads and power supply, ensuring safe drinking water, stocking of medicines and cattle feed, availability of essential commodities, and emergency response arrangements.
Departments were directed to ensure full readiness of cyclone and flood shelters, activate control rooms immediately, and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs). Special emphasis was placed on timely dissemination of cyclone warnings, particularly to fishermen, and strengthening inter-departmental coordination for effective disaster response.
Development Commissioner D.K. Singh asked all departments to review preparedness with their field officers and strictly follow IMD forecasts.
Concluding the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg urged all departments not to be complacent and to remain fully alert. She stressed that Odisha must uphold its strong reputation in disaster management through timely action, strict adherence to protocols, and swift dissemination of information during emergencies.
