Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday directed officials to intensify rescue operations in landslide-hit areas of Odisha, prioritise the search for missing persons and mobilise advanced technology to locate people feared trapped under debris following Cyclone ‘Arnab’.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Majhi reviewed the situation arising from landslides, the assessment of cyclone-induced damage and the state’s preparedness to deal with any possible future cyclonic threat.
Stressing that protection of human lives remains the government’s foremost priority, the Chief Minister directed all concerned departments to accelerate rescue operations and deploy modern equipment and technical expertise to trace missing persons trapped beneath soil and debris.
In a significant move to strengthen the ongoing operation, the state government has sought assistance from the Railways to deploy a Chain Pulley System for the safe evacuation of people from the affected areas.
Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari held discussions with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking the Railways’ active support in the rescue effort. The Union Ministry has assured all necessary assistance, while the East Coast Railway has initiated steps to immediately dispatch the chain pulley equipment to the affected site.
Meanwhile, an advanced Seismic Life Detection Unit, used by the Indian Navy, is being airlifted by helicopter to the landslide-hit G Udayagiri area to enhance search operations. Equipped with specialised sensors and scanning systems, the device can detect biological signals beneath soil, mud and debris, helping rescuers locate survivors.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services and Special Operations Group (SOG) are jointly conducting rescue operations at the affected site.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to restore electricity, road connectivity and other essential services in cyclone-affected areas on a war footing. The Energy Department has been asked to accord top priority to restoring power supply and ensuring that normal services resume at the earliest.
Reviewing preparedness for any possible future cyclone, Majhi stressed the need for keeping cyclone shelters ready, evacuating people from vulnerable locations in advance and ensuring adequate stocks of dry food, cooked meals, safe drinking water and medicines. He also called for close coordination among all government departments.
Emphasising the importance of credible information during disasters, the Chief Minister directed officials to provide the media with timely and accurate official updates. He also asked the administration to verify reports appearing in the media and information received from other sources and take prompt corrective measures wherever necessary.
He said such coordination was essential to prevent the spread of misleading information, ensure that the public received verified updates and improve the effectiveness of relief and rescue operations.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr Arabinda Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Kumar Dev, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and senior officials of various departments.
