Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today released a short documentary film and a report on “Police Response to Cyclone FANI — 2019”, in the State Secretariat, Bhubaneswar. Hon’ble Chief Minister lauded the outstanding work done by Odihsa Police in all domains and spheres before, during and in the aftermath of severe cyclonic storm FANI by reaching out to the affected people in distress and bringing succor to them by all possible means.
In his speech to the police officials and others present on the occasion, Naveen said “The extremely severe cyclone ‘FANI’ made a landfall at 09.30 AM on 3rd May, 2019 at Puri town leaving behind a trail of devastation and damage. Fani is the most severe cyclonic storm in the Odisha coast after the super cyclone of 1999. The cyclone directly affected more than 1.5 crore people of 14 coastal and adjoining districts of Odisha. At this hour of crisis, Odisha Police came forward and stood solidly with the affected people. Odisha Police played a vital role before, during and after the cyclone. 24 hours before cyclone, Police undertook massive awareness exercise among the public by using loud speaker, mega phones etc.
Just 24 hours before the impending cyclone, massive evacuation exercise was undertaken and around 1.3 million people were evacuated to designated multipurpose shelter homes. Police also played a crucial role in the management of law and order, road clearance, distribution of relief, in the restoration work etc. Police also provided drinking water, first-aid and medical services to the affected people on war footing during this crisis. An emergency Police Control Room was set-up at SAP Hdqrs, Bhubaneswar for vertical and horizontal co-ordination with the districts as well as other line departments. Dr. R.P Sharma, DGP personally co-ordinated the activities from the Control Room.
Naveen also appreciated Odisha Police’s initiative KARUNA. He said “the police also exhibited its humane face post cyclone, under the banner ‘KARUNA’ where cooked food were distributed to more than one lakh people in different locations of Puri District.”
The short film and report has been prepared to document such good work done by Police for the information of all. The good work done and the practices adopted can serve as a reference for the future during any such calamity. The document and short film will certainly be very useful and it will also act as a guide for the Police Officer in the days ahead.
Present on the occasion were Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, DC and ACS Home Deptt Asit Kumar Tripathy, ACS to CM, Finance Secretary, all senior officers of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. At the outset, Dr. R.P. Sharma, IPS, DGP gave a brief introduction of the programme. Shri Satyajit Mohanty, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Bhubaneswar gave vote of thanks.