Bhubaneswar: 24×7 Control Rooms will start functioning in the department and districts from May 1, informed Revenue & Disaster Management Minister Pramila Mallik briefing reporters on measures to be taken to tackle possible summer cyclones.
A Class I officer will be in-charge of the Control Room, Mallik said. Like every year on June 18 and 19 Table Top Exercise and Mock Drill will be held in all district headquarters, flood/cyclone centres and block level, she added.
The Minister informed that 317 fire stations have been equipped with necessary equipment and trained manpower to carry out search and rescue operations. These personnel will be deployed ahead of the cyclone at vulnerable places, she added.
She said that 342 regional Fire Service teams in the State are in combat preparedness to tackle any kind of emergency situation.
Similarly, 17 teams of the NDRF’s 3rd Battalion are in preparedness for search and rescue operations, she said adding that 16 teams are stationed at Mundali and one is stationed at Balasore.
The Minister said that these NDRF teams are functioning in coordination with OSDMA and Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
Collectors have been directed to instruct BDOs and Tahasildars to provide fuel to the vehicles used by NDRF teams in affected areas, she added.
879 multipurpose cyclone/flood shelters are being used to shelter evacuees ahead of potential cyclones.
The Minister informed that OSDMA has been directed to inspect the various emergency equipment and machinery and lights and generators in these shelters.
OSDMA has been directed to prepare a list of tower lights in the area after checking the functioning of the tower lights in the shelters.
Similarly, OSDMA has been directed to check on the functioning of Power Chain Saw in the shelters, the Minister added.
The Water Resources Department will ensure timely flood forecasting, water level and water flow of various river systems and proper management of reservoirs.
Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, Rural Development Department, Health and Family Welfare Department and Housing and Urban Development Department will prepare emergency plans to take necessary action on cleanliness and sanitation.
Sufficient quantity of bleaching powder, chlorine tablets, lime powder etc. will be kept at the state and district level.
There are 10 Mobile Treatment Plants with the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department. It has been directed for early deployment of these plants in vulnerable areas. Instructions have also been given to supply drinking water to the affected areas through water tankers. Instructions have been issued to restore and operationalize damaged water supply projects immediately after the cyclone.
Speaking to reporters, Additional Chief Secretary and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrat Sahu said that Department of Rural Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Urban Development, Department of Panchayati Raj and Department of Drinking Water will ensure their disaster management plans.
These departments will make arrangements for advance deployment of necessary manpower and equipment before the cyclone.
All necessary arrangements for relief line clearance/immediate restoration of damaged roads in potentially cyclone-affected areas shall be made within a short period of time after the cyclone.
In addition, these departments have been instructed to prepare a list of emergency equipment in advance and keep it at the district headquarters.
The Health and Family Welfare Department has been ordered to keep stock of necessary medicines for flood-related diseases, water purifiers, and anti-snake venom injections available in the district headquarters hospital.
After receiving cyclone warning, Health and Family Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department have been asked to take steps to bring pregnant women immediately to the district headquarters hospital / CHC / PHC / Maternal Home.
Steps will be taken to maintain alternate power backup in PHC/CHC/District Headquarters Hospitals.
Fisheries & Animal Resources Department to make necessary arrangements to ensure supply of cattle feed and fodder during the cyclone.
Instructions have been given to take advance measures on keeping pre-monsoon veterinary medicine available and vaccination of cattle at the veterinary hospitals. Fisheries & Animal Resources Department will take steps for advance transmission of information on possible cyclone and related warnings to fishermen.
The Energy Department has been asked to review the disaster management plans of power distribution companies and give instructions for execution. Take necessary steps for speedy restoration of power supply in cyclone-affected areas
