BHUBANESWAR: With lightning strikes claiming close to 400 lives in Odisha, the State Government on Tuesday decided to institute a study to assess State’s vulnerability so that preventive mechanism can be put in place.
At a meeting chaired by Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Maheswar Mohanty, it was pointed out that the State accounts for 20 per cent of lightning strike deaths of the country.
Development Commissioner R Balakrishnan suggested an analysis of lightning deaths to identify the pockets and class of people vulnerable to it. Accordingly, it was decided that an expert group will conduct the study.
Special Relief Commissioner Bishnupada Sethi informed that most deaths occur during May to August period when 71 per cent of the cases are reported. Mayurbhanj, Ganjam, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Cuttack, Balasore, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Khurda and Nabarangpur register the highest number of deaths.
He said, administrative departments will undertake awareness campaigns on lightning safety through their field functionaries while posters and IEC materials shall be developed by OSDMA. Massive awareness campaigns will be taken up through electronic and print media.Director, IMD, Bhubaneswar, Sarat Chandra Sahu said a presentation on the causes of the thunderstorm and safety tips for lightning hazard will be prepared.
Govt to pay ex gratia in 3 days
Bhubaneswar: The State Government has decided to make ex gratia payments to the kin of victims natural disasters within three days of death. Earlier, the amount was being paid within seven days. Shooting off a letter to all district collectors, Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and Secretary of Disaster Management Bishnupada Sethi on Tuesday directed them to pay ex gratia due to approved disaster to the next of the kin of the deceased within three days from the death. “The cases need to be processed expeditiously by officials concerned and ex gratia paid out of the fund available either in tehsil, sub-collector’s office or district office to ensure that the process is completed in three days,” he stated. Sethi has asked collectors to give directions to their respective tehsildars and ensure that the instruction is compiled scrupulously.