Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday chaired a high-level assembly to evaluate the state’s preparedness to cope with a cyclone, and requested officers to be ready for any eventuality. The assembly comes after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) mentioned in its forecast {that a} cyclonic circulation is prone to develop over southeast Bay of Bengal round May 6, and beneath its affect, a low-pressure space could kind over the identical area in the course of the subsequent 48 hours.
Recalling cyclone Fani, which hit the Odisha coast on May 2, 2019, Patnaik mentioned dedication of the trail of cyclones throughout summer season is troublesome. He suggested officers to shift individuals who dwell in low-lying areas to cyclone shelters, if mandatory, and formulate plans for reduction and restoration works within the aftermath of a cyclone.
Patnaik requested Chief Secretary PK Jena to evaluate the scenario usually, and Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu to work in coordination with all departments and districts. An official of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar mentioned the IMD has not but predicted any cyclone.
The possible cyclonic circulation on May 6 will result in a low-pressure space within the subsequent 48 hours. The low-pressure space has to additional develop right into a despair after which deep despair, earlier than it might change into a cyclone, he mentioned.
Jena mentioned the state will work to make sure ‘zero casualty’ if a cyclone hits the state. “All Collectors have been alerted in this regard. The cyclone shelters are in readiness while more safe places, including school buildings, have been identified,” he added. Sahu mentioned 24×7 management rooms have already been made operational in all districts.
“The collectors of 18 coastal and adjoining districts have been told to remain prepared,” he mentioned. A complete of 17 National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) groups and 20 groups of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been saved on standby, he mentioned.
Rural Development, Housing and Urban Development, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water departments have been requested to make sure the provision of enough consuming water, he mentioned.
The Energy Department instructed the chief minister that it was prepared with males and machines for restoration works if a cyclone hits the state, Sahu mentioned. The Forest Department has additionally been instructed to be ready for the clearing of roads, he mentioned.
The state authorities’s preparedness stems from a collection of summer season cyclones that hit the state through the years — 2019 (Fani), 2020 (Amphan) and 2021 (Yaas).
