Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has stressed on ensuring ‘zero casualty’ in the aftermath of cyclone Fani and asked officers to remain on high alert to tackle the disaster.
Conducting a review meeting at the State Secretariat on Wednesday to take stock of the preparedness to meet the
eventuality, Patnaik instructed all concerned authorities to evacuate people living in the low-lying areas to safe places before the cyclone makes landfall.
“I appeal to everyone that children, women, old and disabled persons be evacuated first. All precautions have been taken to face the cyclone. We are fully prepared to
tackle the cyclone Fani,” Naveen told reporters soon after the meeting.
“As many as 8 lakh people living in the vulnerable areas will be evacuated to cyclone shelters,” Naveen added.
The CM also held discussions with collectors of district Collectors via videoconference and directed them to remain alert to meet any emergency situation.
Besides, the CM reviewed deployment of NDRF and ODRAF teams in the districts. He directed the officers to undertake restoration works soon after the cyclone weakens.
Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi informed that free kitchens would start at cyclone shelters from Thursday to provide food to the evacuated people.
The Government has assigned 11 IAS officers and 11 IPS officers to supervise the relief, rehabilitationand restoration work in the districts that are likely to be affected by the cyclone.
Earlier in the day, collectors in the all coastal and adjoining districts of Gajapati, Nayagarh, Khordha, Cuttack, Jajpur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj have been advised to identify all vulnerable people living in kutcha houses or living near the coast or in low lying areas.
The Government has cancelled leaves and holidays of all the officials in the Energy Department as part of preparedness in view of the possible damages in power supply and distribution during the cyclone.
All kinds of leaves of doctors and health staff have been cancelled up to May 15. The Health Department ordered that all those who are on leave must report back to respective headquarters by Wednesday evening.