CM Chairs High Level Meeting on Possible Summer Cyclone, Stresses on Advance Preparedness

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting on possible summer cyclone and asked the administration to ensure advance preparedness to deal with the situation.

As per the IMD, a cyclonic circulation is likely to develop over Southeast Bay of Bengal around May 6. Under its influence, a low presser area is likely to form over the same region during subsequent 48 hours.

Presiding over the high-level meeting this afternoon, the Chief Minister said that the forecast of the storm that comes in the summer season is very complicated. In 2019, cyclone Fani occurred unprecedentedly and caused extensive damage. All life is precious to us. So we have to be prepared without any delay, the CM said.

The Chief Minister said that all departments of the State Government, NDRF, ODRAF and Fire Services should remain alert. The CM urged to evacuate the people from the coastal and low-lying areas if necessary and keep them safe in the cyclone shelters. He ordered to make advance plans for recovery and rehabilitation programs even after the cyclone.

He directed the Chief Secretary to conduct regular reviews regarding the cyclone and the Special Relief Commissioner to closely monitor the situation and work in coordination with all departments.

Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena said that district Collectors have also been instructed to remain alert. About 1,000 cyclone shelters have been prepared and other schools and safe places have been identified.

Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu said that a control room has been prepared after discussions with 18 district Collectors. 17 NDRF and 20 ODRAF teams have been kept ready, he said.

DGP Sunil Kumar Bansal, Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Principal Secretary of Energy and Rural Development Departments Sanjay Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of Agriculture Department Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
Secretary to CM (5T) VK Pandian moderated the meeting.