Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized on zero casualty in natural calamities in the first State Natural Disaster Committee meeting-2024 at Lok Seva Bhavan.
Chairing the meeting, the CM said that all necessary measures would be taken to deal with the natural calamities to achieve the zero casualty mission.
“We need to do a proper review of disaster preparedness to deal with floods and cyclones. The administration has to be vigilant to deal with the situation at the field level. Appropriate measures need to be taken in the fields of early warning, relief and rescue operations, drinking water supply, health, and veterinary treatment. ODRAF and fire brigade should always be alert for quick action,” CM Majhi said.
CM Majhi took several important measures in the meeting which was attended by Deputy Chief Ministers KV Singh Deo and Pravati Parida, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, Health Minister Mukesh Mahalinga, Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and other ministers, MPs and MLAs. Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Nikunj Bihari Dhal and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Satyabrat Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Revenue and Disaster Management Department delivered the welcome address.
In the meeting, committee members presented their views on the disaster management. Accordingly, the Chief Minister directed the Irrigation Department to take steps on a war footing to immediately repair the weak river embankments and the breaches.
Majhi also ordered to Urban Development Department to desilt the drains in the urban areas and take measures for the release of excess rainwater.
Similarly, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been directed to prepare a draft proposal of Rs 200 crore for urban flood management.
The CM further informed that a long-term program will be prepared for flood management in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other urban areas with the technical support of IIT Delhi.
A 24×7 control room will function in the State, district and other offices. The chief minister directed the health department to stock anti-venom injections in all health centres as there is a high possibility of snakebites during the rainy season.
Steps will be taken to disseminate advance information to the people about various calamities through mobile App ‘Satark’ and awareness will be created about the app.
The Chief Minister said that ODRAF is the first state-level Disaster Response Force in the country. ODRAF has brought fame to Odisha for its tremendous rescue operations during various calamities in and outside the State.
He said that the Home Department will take steps to increase the ODRAF to 30 units and make a dedicated force.
Similarly, the fire Services department is the first responder to any disaster at the district level, the CM said.
The capacity of the fire department is being increased with the expenses of Rs 394 crores from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF). The government will allocate more Rs 200 crore to strengthen the department.
The CM said that measures will be taken to make five Regional Fire Service Hubs operational immediately in view of various accidents like Bahanaga rail tragedy.
In view of possible floods this year, the Special Relief Commissioner should coordinate with all the departments to reduce the damage caused by the disaster.
Majhi said that our State is a natural calamity-prone state. In terms of geographical location, the state is prone to floods and cyclones. Still lightning, sunstrokes, cyclonic storms, fire mishap and drowning continue to occur every year.
The CM praised the steps taken by the State and Central government in the rescue of all the injured in the Bahanaga railway accident.
The Chief Minister expressed concerns over boat capsize in Jharsuguda, firecracker explosion in Puri and sunstroke deaths in Western Odisha.
Adequate food and fodder must be stocked in inaccessible areas. Adequate dry foods and other essential items must also be stored in all shelter homes. Even pregnant women, children and the sick/elderly will be given special attention. The CM said that the control room will remain active 24 hours in various departments, districts and blocks.
He said that immediate assistance would be provided after the damage assessment.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted the programme. MPs, MLAs and other members gave constructive views.
