In the wake of a low pressure area brewing over the Bay of Bengal that can intensify into a cyclone, the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) of Odisha on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness with Collectors of coastal districts.
SRC Pradeep Jena had a video conference with Collectors of 10 districts and other officials and advised them to initiate preparedness for the possible cyclone that may hit the coastal Odisha later this month.
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Jena took to microblogging site Twitter to inform about the preparedness meeting and wrote, “Had a VC now with Collectors, SPs/ Fire officers, ADMs and emergency officers of 10 dists & advised them to start preparedness for probable cyclone. Shelters identification, staff deployment, training, facilities check, infrastructure check, evacuation planning to be done.”
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Prioritising the elderly, differently-abled and sick persons, Jena directed the officials to mobilise ASHA, WSHGs and plan food supply and medical assistance to the vulnerable people on a priority basis.
Since Odisha is already struggling with the second wave of COVID pandemic, he said the preparedness for cyclone needed extra efforts to ensure all the COVID protocols are adhered to.
“Further all local officials, PRIs, WSHGs, ASHA to be mobilised. Covid guidelines are to be followed. Dry/cooked food, children food, fast aid, etc to be planned. Old, sick, physically and mentally challenged and vulnerable people to be given additional priority in cyclone planning,” he tweeted.
Finally, Jena called on for careful management of the cyclone preparedness during Covid pandemic at all level.
It is pertinent to mention here that, the Director General of India Meteorological Department Mrutyunjay Mohapatra on Wednesday had warned that a fresh cyclone might hit the coast between Odisha and West Bengal on May 26 .
Mohapatra said that a low-pressure system will develop around Andaman Sea and its neighbourhood on May 22. It will intensify during the subsequent 72 hours and turn into a cyclonic storm by May 25.