Bhubaneswar: Keeping in view the possible cyclone, the Energy Department today held a review meeting under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo.
The Energy Department has taken comprehensive steps to deal with the possible cyclone. Preparations for post-cyclone restoration work and management of power supply are also in their final stage, the department said.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Singh Deo has directed officials to pay special attention to the districts likely to be affected by the cyclone. The public is being informed to take precautionary measures during rain and wind. The department is on full alert to deal with any kind of eventuality, officials said.
Tata Power CEO and MD Dr Praveer Kumar Sinha and TPCODL CEO Gajanan Kale were present in the meeting.
Deputy CM, talking to mediapersons, said, “This morning we reviewed the preparedness of the Energy Department. We held discussions with TPCODL and Tata Power CEO & MD Dr Praveer Sinha. As the cyclone is likely to impact south Odisha, both TPCODL and TPSODL have completed their preparedness measures to tackle the impending cyclone.”
He further said, “The Energy Department will continuously monitor the situation. We also reviewed the preparedness of the Agriculture Department in the presence of concerned officials from all districts. Meanwhile, the state government has cancelled the leaves of the concerned district officials. The IMD Director, OUAT Vice-Chancellor, Agriculture Director and other directors held discussions with district-level officers and issued necessary advisories.”
He continued: “As per the IMD Director General, Cyclone Arnab is not likely to impact Odisha significantly at present as it is moving towards Andhra Pradesh. However, wind speeds of 60-80 kmph are expected. Farmers have been advised to cover their harvested crops. Those whose crops are yet to be reaped have been asked not to cut them at this stage. The Agriculture Secretary and I will remain available for farmers throughout this difficult period.”
“I would like to tell the media that cyclones are not new to Odisha. The state faces three to four cyclones every year. We had faced the Super Cyclone in October 1999. Cyclones visit us regularly. Our priority remains zero casualty, as directed by the Chief Minister,” he stated.
