Bhubaneswar: With the IMD’s forecast on a cyclone that would hit Odisha coast by October 25 morning, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi today held a high-level meeting and asked all concerned officers to work with a mission to achieve zero casualty.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Shri Majhi said the state government is fully prepared to tackle the impending cyclone over the Bay of Bengal.
Shri Majhi appealed to the public not to panic for the cyclone as the government is working in a ‘zero casualty’ motto. Fire service, ODRAF (Odisha disaster rapid action force) teams, NDRF teams have been kept in readiness, he said.
The possible impacted areas will be identified and 100 percent evacuation of people will be done from such areas, he said.
All the multi-purpose cyclone shelters will be kept ready and all required equipment and items will be stored in the shelters in advance, he informed.
The Chief Minister said he has emphasized early restoration and uninterrupted supply of essential commodities to the people during the post-cyclone period.
He has also directed the officials for early restoration of power, drinking water supply, telephone service, and communication.
Shri Majhi has issued necessary instructions to the officials to ensure round the clock power supply to the hospitals.
The Food Supply and Consumer Welfare Department was asked to check black marketing of essential commodities during the cyclone period.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the collectors who have experience in handling cyclones in the past, would be deployed in the district, which are likely to be affected by the cyclone.
The concerned officers will assist the district administrations in management of the cyclone.
Shri Pujari said 24 hours control rooms have started functioning in the likely affected districts.
The collectors have been empowered to declare holidays of anganwadi centres, schools, colleges and other educational institutions as safety of students is more priority.
He appealed to the tourists who arrived in Puri to move to a safer place before the cyclone hit the Odisha coast.
“October 24 and 25 are very important days for Odisha so we all need to remain very careful,” Shri Pujari said.
One helicopter of the central government will be kept in readiness at Bhubaneswar airport. If needed and weather conditions permits, the chopper will be used for rescue or relief operations, he added.
Meanwhile, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) D K Singh has asked the School and Mass Education Department to close schools in 14 districts likely to be affected by the cyclone for three days.
The schools will remain closed in the districts of Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Angul, Khordha, Nayagarh and Cuttack from October 23 to 25.