In view of Meteorological Department’s prediction of more than normal rains for Odisha this year, the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams would conduct mock drills at cyclone shelters across coastal districts on June 19 to combat any possible flood situation.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting held under chairmanship of Chief Secretary AP Padhi at the State Secretariat on Thursday afternoon. Special Relief Commissioner PK Mohaptra presented details of ODRAF preparations and stocks of food, medicine and fodder materials for a possible flood situation.
“The India Meteorological Department has predicted that Odisha may witness 113 per cent rainfall this monsoon. It has also forecast that there would be no floods before September. But we have to stay prepared for possible flood situation,” Mohapatra told reporters.
He too informed that remuneration of ODRAF teams has been increased. “The Government has increased on duty daily allowance of ODRAF members by Rs 300 to Rs 4000 for operations inside the State. It has been increased by 400 to 500 for operations outside the State,” said the SRC.