Amphan Advisory: Ensure Zero Casualties, Odisha CM Tells Officials

Bhubaneswar: With the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing the cyclone warning for 12 coastal districts of Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday directed the collectors and the officials of the departments concerned to ensure zero casualties.

The Chief Minister, in a video conferencing, said that as heavy rainfall accompanied by strong wind will lash the districts between May 18 and 20, the collectors of these districts should take pre-emptive measures.

Directing the collectors to keep the evacuation plan in readiness, Naveen told them to shift the people from the low-lying areas and those living in thatched houses. Adequate relief provision should be made for the affected people.

“Saving lives is our priority and we should put our best efforts to save every precious human life,” the Chief Minister pointed out.

For relief and restoration works, the Chief Minister told the Revenue and Disaster Management Department to preposition the NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Service units in vulnerable locations, ensure complete suspension of fishing activities till the de-warning is issued by the IMD and set up a 24-hour control room.

He also directed the Works Department to make prior arrangements for quick restoration of road communications and the Energy Department for quick restoration of power supply.

Besides, the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department and Housing and Urban Development Department were asked to make the required arrangement for quick restoration of drinking water supply.

The Chief Minister also asked the Energy Department to ensure alternative power supply to lifeline institutions like hospitals and water supply systems and told the chief secretary to monitor cyclone preparedness and response activities.

“As we have faced several severe cyclonic storms like Phailin, Hudhud, Titli, Fani and Bulbul and successfully managed them, I appeal to the people not to panic and cooperate with the administration to effectively manage the situation,” Naveen said.

The cyclone warning has been issued for Ganjam, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda, Nayagarh and Gajapati districts.

Also read: Cyclone Alert: Amphan Likely To Hit North Odisha Coast At 95 Kmph