Finance
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Lok Seva Bhawan on Wednesday to evaluate the rainfall generated by the deep depression that formed over the Bay of Bengal and its impact. The meeting was attended by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, as well as the Chief Secretary, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister, and Special Relief Commissioner.
During the meeting, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil addressed the Chief Minister on the deep depression, the risk of severe rains, and the government’s measures to deal with the situation.
The Chief Minister directed that the government’s sole policy during all natural disasters should be “zero casualty.” He stressed the need for all concerned departments of the state government to coordinate with district administrations and work together to deal with the situation. He accorded the highest priority to the safety of the lives and property of the people.
The Chief Minister urged officials to transport people from wet areas to safer sites and offer enough relief. Although a cyclone is unlikely, he recommended officials to be fully prepared and to take all necessary precautions.
The group was informed that significant rain is predicted today and tomorrow as a result of the deep depression, and that the situation will improve after September 25.
To deal with the problem, 33 ODRAF teams have been sent in various areas across the state. Six teams have been deployed in Ganjam; three in Gajapati; six in Koraput; three in Malkangiri; three in Rayagada; two in Kalahandi; and one in Balangir. In addition, nine ODRAF teams from the ODRAF unit at Chhatrapur in Ganjam have been kept in reserve.
Because rough sea conditions are expected along the coast, Local Warning Signal No. 3 has been raised at all ports, and fishermen are barred from entering the water. District administrations have been instructed to guarantee full compliance with the restriction.
Ganjam, Gajapati, Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Kalahandi districts have been given top priority. The district administrations and the Revenue Department have also completed the essential preparations in Nuapada, Balangir, Kandhamal, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
Emphasis has been laid on keeping district and block emergency operation centres functional round the clock, identifying vulnerable habitations, keeping shelters ready and stocking dry food, baby food, drinking water and sanitation materials. ODRAF, NDRF and Fire Services teams have already been deployed and kept ready. Rescue boats, life jackets and power boats have also been kept prepared.
The Water Resources Department is continuously monitoring water levels in rivers and reservoirs, inspecting vulnerable embankment locations and coordinating the controlled release of water wherever necessary.
In urban areas, preparations are also in place to monitor drainage systems, deploy dewatering pumps at low-lying underpasses and undertake traffic diversions wherever required.
The Health and Family Welfare, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Energy, Commerce and Transport, Works, Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development departments have also been directed to remain alert and make all necessary preparations.
Real-time monitoring of the situation is being carried out at both the state and district levels. Continuous watch is being maintained over heavy rainfall, waterlogging, shelters, electricity and drinking water supply, deployment of rescue teams and the status of water reservoirs.
It should be noted that the deep depression established over the west-central and adjacent northwest Bay of Bengal has drifted westward at a speed of 12 kmph over the last six hours. As of 5:30 a.m. today, it was around 150 kilometers south of Gopalpur.
The deep depression is forecast to move west-northwestward and cross the north Andhra Pradesh-south Odisha coast between Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur, near Kalingapatnam, tonight. Under its influence, significant to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in numerous parts of the state.
Rayagada, Koraput, Gajapati, and Ganjam have all received a Red Warning. These districts are expected to receive heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, with winds blowing up to 70 kmph.
Similarly, orange warnings have been issued for Nuapada, Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Puri, Khordha, and Nayagada.
A Yellow Warning has been issued for Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur, Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur, Kataka, Baragada, Sambalpur, Debagada, Anugola, Dhenkanal, Kendujhar, Mayurbhanj, Subarnapur, and Boudh.
