Bhubaneswar: As another cyclonic storm, this one named Cyclone Murasu, formed over the Bay of Bengal and approaches India’s eastern coast, Odisha is once again gearing up to protect its people and minimise damage.
In view of the heavy rainfall alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the district administration in Malkangiri has ordered all schools to be shut till November 4.
As per the order issued on Sunday by Malkangiri Collector and District Magistrate Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke, all Anganwadi centres, schools (primary, upper primary, secondary, OAVs and higher secondary) and degree colleges in the district will remain closed from November 2 to 4 to ensure the safety of the students.
“However, the teaching and non-teaching staff of the schools, colleges and Anganwadi Centres will attend their duties as usual. Their services may be utilised by the administration for relief and restoration activities,” the order added.
Disaster management arrangements
At a high-level meeting chaired by Rajeshirke, detailed instructions were issued to strengthen disaster management arrangements across the district.
All BDOs, Tehsildars, Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs), Revenue Inspectors and field-level officials have been directed to identify people living in hilly areas, landslide-prone locations and low-lying flood-vulnerable zones and shift them to safer places. Special priority will be given to elderly people, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and children.
The Regional Transport Officer has been tasked with arranging traffic diversions at vulnerable roads, low-level bridges and other sensitive locations. The Superintending Engineer of the Roads and Buildings Division was directed to ensure adequate tower lights and halogen lights at multipurpose flood shelters, cyclone shelters, vulnerable roads and road clearance points. JCBs and excavators will also be stationed in landslide-prone areas in advance to facilitate the quick clearance of blocked roads.
The National Highways Division has been directed to instal barricades and take necessary safety measures to restrict vehicular movement over low-level bridges, including those at Poteru and Kangurukonda, if water levels rise. The Divisional Forest Officer has ordered suspension of all tourism-related activities, including water sports and boating, at Satiguda, Chitrakonda and other tourist destinations in the district.
Pregnant women to be shifted
Healthcare preparedness has been given top priority. Pregnant women whose expected delivery dates fall within the next 15 days will be shifted to nearby Primary health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) or the District Headquarters Hospital.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) is fully operational and can be contacted at 06861-231372. The toll-free emergency helpline 1077 is functioning round the clock.
