Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday reviewed the situation following heavy rain triggered by a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal and the overall impact.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, the Chief Secretary, the Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, and the Special Relief Commissioner, among others, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Rajesh Prabhakar Patil briefed the Chief Minister in detail about the depression, the anticipated rainfall, and the measures taken by the government to tackle the situation.
The Chief Minister directed that the sole policy adopted by the state during all natural disasters is ‘zero casualty’. Therefore, all government departments concerned must coordinate with the district administration to tackle the situation.
Majhi placed the utmost importance on safeguarding the lives and property of the people and instructed officials to evacuate people from waterlogged areas to safe locations and provide them with adequate relief.
Although there is no likelihood of a cyclone, the Chief Minister advised maintaining the highest level of preparedness alongside all necessary precautionary measures. The meeting revealed that heavy rainfall is likely today and tomorrow due to this depression, with conditions expected to improve after the 25th.
Altogether 33 ODRAF teams have been deployed across various districts of the state to tackle the situation. Teams have been stationed as follows: 6 in Ganjam, 3 in Gajapati, 6 in Koraput, 3 in Malkangiri, 3 in Rayagada, 2 in Kalahandi, and 1 in Balangir. Additionally, 9 teams from the ODRAF unit at Chhatrapur (Ganjam) have been kept in reserve.
As rough sea conditions are anticipated along the coast, Local Warning Signal Number 3 has been hoisted at all ports, and a ban on fishermen venturing into the sea remains in force. The district administration has been instructed to ensure 100% compliance with this directive. While top priority has been accorded to the districts likely to be affected—namely Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi—the district administrations and the Revenue Department have completed all necessary preparations in Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh.
Emphasis has been placed on keeping district and block emergency operation centres operational 24×7, identifying vulnerable settlements, keeping cyclone shelters ready, and stockpiling dry food, baby food, drinking water, and hygiene supplies. Teams from ODRAF, NDRF, and the Fire Services have been pre-positioned and kept on standby, while rescue boats, life jackets, and power boats have also been kept ready. The Water Resources Department is coordinating efforts for the continuous monitoring of river and reservoir water levels, inspection of vulnerable embankment sections, and controlled water release where necessary. Preparations are also in place to monitor urban drainage systems, deploy de-watering pumps at low-lying underpasses, and implement traffic diversions if required.
Departments such as Health & Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water, Energy, Commerce & Transport, Works, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, and Fisheries & Animal Resources Development have also been instructed to remain alert and make necessary preparations. While the situation is being monitored in real-time at both state and district levels, constant vigil is being maintained regarding heavy rainfall, waterlogging, shelter arrangements, electricity and drinking water supplies, the deployment of rescue teams, and the status of water bodies.
It is noteworthy that the deep depression formed over the west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal was located 150 km south of Gopalpur.
Moving in a west-northwesterly direction, this deep depression is likely to cross the North Andhra Pradesh–South Odisha coast near Kalingapatnam—between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur—by Wednesday night. Under its influence, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely in several districts of the state.
A ‘Red Warning’ has been issued for Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam districts. These districts may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by surface winds blowing at 50-60 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 70 kmph.
Similarly, an ‘Orange Warning’ has been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagarh; and a ‘Yellow Warning’ has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapara, Jagatsinghpur, Cuttack, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Deogarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Boudh.