Ahead of monsoon, ODRAF to conduct mock drill on Jun 19

Bhubaneswar: Apprehending floods in Odisha this year due to more than normal rainfall as predicted by the Met department, the state government has decided to conduct mock drill by the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) in all the districts from June 19.

“As per the forecast of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the rainfall this year will be 113 percent of normal. Considering the amount of rainfall in the state, there are chances of high floods in the state. To tackle the flood situation, there have been a series of meetings and preparations. Since there is less chance of cyclone till September, we have to keep ourselves ready for the flood,” Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) and chairman of Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) PK Mohapatra told media persons after presiding over a meeting of the Odisha State Disaster Management Committee here this afternoon.

He said a decision has been taken to train the personnel of the 10 newly formed ODRAF teams in the state and to provide them all necessary equipment for use in times of calamity.

“Besides, it has been decided to raise the daily allowance of the ODRAF personnel. ODRAF personnel working outside the state will now get DA at the rate of Rs 500 a day instead of Rs 400 and those working in the state will get Rs 300 instead of Rs 200,” Mohapatra said.

“Besides, there is a proposal to provide tower lights to each police station in coastal areas,” he added.

The SRC also said the meeting gave approval to the State Disaster Plan.