Bhubaneswar: Instead of your geographic location Odisha is cyclone prone. During the month of October-November, there is usually a chance of a cyclone in the state due to the retreating southwest monsoon. In some cases, this duration is even extended until December 15.
Keeping these facts in mind, Odisha Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra asked various departments in a cyclone preparedness meeting today to remain alert to fight the cyclone.
The Chief Secretary directed that facilities, materials and manpower should be kept ready as per prescribed SOPs to deal with the cyclonic situation. The state level cyclone preparedness meeting was held today at Lokseva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
Speaking on the occasion, Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue and Disaster Management Department discussed the likely cyclone from various angles.
Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Center Director HR Biswas hinted that there is no chance of a cyclone in the next 15 days.
It was learned from the discussion in the meeting that the infrastructure for early forecasting of cyclones in the state has been improved.
Doppler weather radar stations have been established at Gopalpur and Paradip while high wind speed recorders have been established at Balasore, Chanbali, Puri, Bhuaneswar, Gopalpur and Paradip.
This equipment can operate at wind speeds of up to 300 km per hour. This helped predict upcoming cyclones.
The Chief Secretary also ordered to keep mobile telecommunication towers, satellite phone generators, electric poles, wire, substation and sufficient manpower ready to meet the emergency as there is a high probability that telephone and electricity supply will be disrupted during of a cyclone.
He further ordered that hand pumps in both villages and urban areas should be kept in working condition to keep the drinking water supply system ready. He also directed that we remain prepared so that water supply can be done soon after the cyclone. He also ordered to keep sufficient quantity of bleaching preparations, halogen tablets, medicines, ambulance and medical team. The CS directed the ODRAF and fire departments to check all their equipment and be ready to meet any emergency.
Mahapatra also directed the women and child development department to maintain the list of pregnant women, elderly and physically challenged people so that they can be immediately shifted to a safe place in time of need during the cyclone.