KalingaTV News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government will conduct a state-wide mock drill on management of flood and cyclone to examine the preparedness of various departments under it in disaster management ahead of monsoon season on June 19.
A decision on the mock drill was taken at a meeting headed by the Chief Secretary AP Padhi which was held at the Secretariat here yesterday. The meeting which was also attended by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi also took a decision to approach the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for setting up of Doppler Radars at Sambalpur and Balasore to get region specific information on various weather conditions like rainfall, thunderstorm, hailstorm, and lightning.
Speaking to the reporters on the sidelines of the meeting, the Chief Secretary informed that the mock drill would be conducted at all 879-multipurpose cyclone and flood shelters currently functional in the state. During the drill the volunteers will take part in disaster management drills along with the members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Service Department and local NGOs.
During the meeting, Padhi directed all concerned departments to keep their rescue and relief machinery ready for any type of eventuality. He also advised the meteorological department to give stress on region wise prediction of weather phenomenon like rainfall, thunderstorm and lightning instead of district-wise warning.
Similarly, informing on the preparedness of the government to tackle the natural disaster the SRC said the satellite phones provided to the district collectors, ODRAF units and other key officials are being test operated on regular intervals. He claimed efforts are on to prepare a database of contractors, equipment and machineries which are needed to deal with adverse natural conditions.
Ms Kalinga AI