Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday took stock of the rescue operations in landslide-hit areas, damage caused by cyclone Arnab and the state’s preparedness to deal with another possible cyclone.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to intensify rescue operations in landslide-hit areas, prioritise the search for missing persons and mobilise advanced technology to locate people feared trapped under debris following cyclone Arnab.
Emphasising that protection of human lives remains the government’s foremost priority, Majhi asked all departments concerned to accelerate rescue operations and deploy modern equipment and technical expertise to trace missing persons trapped beneath soil and debris.
In a significant move to strengthen the ongoing operation, the state government has sought assistance from the Railways to deploy a Chain Pulley System for the safe evacuation of people from the affected areas.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari held discussions with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeking the Railways’ active support in the rescue effort. The Union Ministry has assured all necessary assistance, while the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has initiated steps to immediately dispatch the chain pulley equipment to the affected site.
Meanwhile, an advanced Seismic Life Detection Unit, used by the Indian Navy, is being airlifted by helicopter to the landslide-hit G Udayagiri area to enhance search operations. Equipped with specialised sensors and scanning systems, the device can detect biological signals beneath soil, mud and debris, helping rescuers locate survivors.
Personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services and Special Operations Group (SOG) are jointly conducting rescue operations at the affected site.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to restore electricity, road connectivity and other essential services in cyclone-affected areas on a war footing. The Energy Department has been asked to accord top priority to restoring power supply and ensuring that normal services resume at the earliest.
Reviewing preparedness for another possible cyclone, Majhi stressed the need for keeping cyclone shelters ready, evacuating people from vulnerable locations in advance and ensuring adequate stocks of dry food, cooked meals, safe drinking water and medicines. He also called for close coordination among all government departments.
Emphasising the importance of credible information during disasters, the Chief Minister directed officials to provide the media with timely and accurate official updates. He also asked the administration to verify reports appearing in the media and information received from other sources and take prompt corrective measures wherever necessary.
Such coordination is essential to prevent the spread of misleading information, ensure that the public received verified updates and improve relief and rescue operations, he said.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Arabinda Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Kumar Dev, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Regional Meteorological Centre Director Manorama Mohanty, SRC Rajesh Prabhakar Patil and senior officials.