BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday directed all the administrative departments to remain in readiness and keep the early warning system as well as rescue and relief machinery prepared to tackle natural calamities during the June-October period.
Chairing the State level natural calamity committee meeting, Naveen said special attention must be paid to vulnerable groups like pregnant women and physically challenged during calamity situations.
With timely onset of monsoon, the CM said preparedness for flood and cyclone must be reviewed. Drinking water, health and veterinary services apart from stocking of food materials and cattle feed should be ensured.
Stressing on the State Government’s zero-casualty motto, Naveen said Odisha is known to be prone to calamities. Last year, it did not suffer any major disaster except heatwave, heavy rains and floods in some parts of the State.
He said the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force and fire services should remain alert for immediate response. Control rooms at districts and departments should be made functional round the clock and prompt response towards rescue and relief should be ensured.
Meanwhile, the Government conducted mock drills at all multi-purpose cyclone shelters as part of its annual disaster preparedness exercise. Search and rescue as well as first-aid techniques of volunteers were put to test during the exercise. Efficiency of equipment such as mechanised cutters, generators, stretchers, tower lights and mega phones was also assessed.
Personnel of ODRAF, National Disaster Response Force and fire service also exhibited search and rescue skills during the drill.
OPCC general secretary resigns, likely to join BJD
Bhubaneswar: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee general secretary and spokesperson Sulochana Das resigned from the party on Monday. Earlier in the day, she met BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at Naveen Niwas fuelling speculation of her joining the ruling party. She is likely to join the BJD on Tuesday. Das informed her resignation from the Congress through social media. “I have resigned from Congress party. With deep anguish, I have taken this decision to resign from the Congress,” she wrote in a Facebook post.