Gajapati: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning of heavy rainfall under the influence of a possible deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, the Gajapati district administration on Tuesday stepped up preparedness and directed officials to remain at their headquarters till September 25.
A preparatory meeting chaired by Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Munindra Honnaga was held to review the district’s preparedness and response measures. District-level officers, BDOs and Tehsildars attended the meeting and discussed arrangements at the block level to deal with any emergency arising from the weather system.
Honnaga said the IMD has issued weather warnings for the district from September 21 to 25, with a red warning in place for September 23 and 24. Yellow warnings have been issued for the other days.
“Today, we held a preparatory meeting with district-level officers, BDOs and Tehsildars to review the preparations at the block level and discuss the next steps. We have instructed everyone to remain prepared to handle any unwanted situation,” Honnaga said while speaking to the media.
He said the administration was keeping a close watch on low-lying areas and would take steps to relocate people if the situation warranted it. Emergency services would also be made available in case of any eventuality.
“We are keeping a close watch on low-lying areas. If anything happens, people will be relocated and emergency services will be provided. All officials have been instructed not to leave their headquarters till September 25,” Honnaga said.
The IMD has forecast heavy rainfall in parts of southern Odisha under the influence of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, prompting the district administration to strengthen its preparedness measures.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Monday reviewed the preparedness of Ganjam, Gajapati, Malkangiri and other vulnerable districts with Collectors and senior officials.
She directed officials to maintain a close watch on low-lying areas, drainage systems and river basins and ensure that necessary arrangements were in place to respond to any emergency.
The Chief Secretary also ordered the cancellation of leave of officials in likely affected districts and advised authorities to shift expectant mothers to hospitals as a precautionary measure.
The district administration has asked officials and field-level functionaries to remain alert and closely monitor the situation as the weather system develops.
