Bhubaneswar:Even though the path of possible cyclone over Bay of Bengal has not been predicted so far, in an advance move, State Government has asked Collectors of 18 districts to undertake all preparedness measures to reduce the impacts.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) PK Jena has written a letter to the Collectors of Ganjam, Gajapti, Puri, Khordha, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara,Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore, Nayagarh, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada and Kandhamal districts.
As per the latest IMD bulletin, the cyclonic circulation has formed over South Andaman Sea & neighbourhood on May 4. Under its influence, a low pressure area is likely to form over the same region around May 6. It is very likely to move northwestwards and intensify gradually into a Depression during subsequent 48 hours.
“Keeping in view a possible cyclone over the Bay of Bengal, all preparedness measures are required to be undertaken well in advance to reduce the impacts of the cyclone. You are, therefore, requested to take up the necessary measures immediately on priority,” Mr.Jena told Collectors.
Mr.Jena asked to ensure the functioning of the District Emergency Operation Centre and Control Rooms round the clock with adequate manpower.
“You may check the Satellite phones provided and make test calls. Besides the satellite phone, digital mobile radio communication systems have been established in six coastal districts under the EWDS project. Please make use of those communication systems also,” he suggested.
The Collectors were asked to identify all vulnerable people and shift them to safe shelters are the first priority.
Prepare a detailed evacuation plan for people living in kutcha houses or living near the coast or in low lying areas and other vulnerable persons including old, PwDs, women and children to designated geo-tagged shelter buildings, the SRC said.
All safe shelter buildings including permanent and temporary will be identified and all designated shelter buildings will also be geo-tagged.
A team comprising three local officials (two male and one woman (such as ASHA/ AWW/ lady teacher/ lady constable/ Home guard etc) will be kept in charge of each shelter. Jena asked the Collectors to complete the exercise by May 6, 2022.
He also sought detailed information on identified safe shelter buildings indicating latitude and longitude, name of the officials kept in charge and mobile number of such team/ officials.
Safe pucca school buildings/ public buildings in the vulnerable areas may also be identified as temporary shelters as per requirement, he further said.
Local BDO/ Tahsildar were asked to check all cyclone and flood shelters. They will check water supply, functional toile, generator, inflatable tower light, mechanical cutters and other equipment available in shelters.
As the power supply is cut-off during the peak period of the cyclone, all offices should make the backup power arrangement for that period. Generators available in the different offices including health institutions should be immediately checked and adequate fuel stored, the SRC told the Collectors.
“Regular IMD forecasts/ warnings may be watched. Please send a report of compliance on the above with detailed information on arrangements made in your district by May 6,” Mr.Jena said.