Bhubaneswar : Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday reviewed the post-cyclone situation and damages caused by Cyclone YAAS in the state at a meeting here where Odisha Government demanded long term solutions to mitigate problems
of repeated cyclones and provision of disaster resilient power systems.
The State Government sought no immediate funds to manage the expenditure incurred in disaster management, but
stressed on long term solutions to the problem as Odisha is frequently hit by major calamities like cyclones, Odishas
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Pradeep Jena told Media after the meeting.
Immediately after the hour long review meeting PM left for aerial survey of worst affected Balasore, Bhadrakh district in the State.
Review Meeting was attended by Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, two Union Ministers- Dharmendra
Pradhan and Pratap Chandra Sarangi, Secretary to CM VK Pandian, Chief Secretary S C Mahapatra, SRC Pradeep Jena.
The Prime Minister was earlier received by Governor Ganeshi Lal, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Union Ministers
Dharmendra Pradhan and Pratap Sarangi at the airport here.
The Chief Minister sought both a disaster resilient power infrastructure and a permanent solution to protect the
coastal region from storm surges which accompany cyclones.
SRC said that Odisha has a long coastline of about 480 kilometers of which above 200 km is vulnerable to tidal surge.
The state has sought no immediate funds or assistance from the Prime Minister as the state will manage the
situation from its resources. We will assess the damage in seven days and later seek central assistance,informed SRC.
Union Minister Pratap Chandra Sarangi, who was present in the PMs review meeting said: The Centre is all along with
Odisha. The state has not made immediate demanded, but sought permanent solution by setting of disaster resilient
infrastructure in power sector and measures against the storm surge.
Since Prime Minister is now going on an aerial survey to see the damages done by YAAS he will announce relief
package by this evening, Mr.Sarangi said.
Prime Minister was welcomed to the state. A video film of 8-mimute duration and a power point presentation was
made before the Prime Minister on how the state responded to the calamity.
CM wanted long term solution to the problem of coastal erosion which adds to the danger from storms in the
coastal belt.
The Chief Minister also drew attention of the Prime Minister to the disaster resilient power system, the
demand for which is being made for last two years.
This apart, the CM also empathetically demanded coastal storm surge protection mechanism, Mr.Jena said.
Mr.Jena said there is every possibility that the height of storm surge in Oddisha coast may go up to 8 meters along
the state coast. Therefore, robust planning is required. The State Government’s demand was to ensure a disaster resilient coastal infrastructure, he said.
