Bhubaneswar: Since cyclone Fani tore through the Odisha coast on May 3 paralysing normal life, restoration works are underway on war-footing. Apart from several teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) and skilled workers from other states, around 1200 fire personnel of Odisha are rendering their service towards rehabilitation & restoration since May 4 as the 'first responders' to the disaster.
According to reports, over 476 firemen have been deployed for the restoration works in Bhubaneswar and are engaged in cutting uprooted trees and restoring road communication in the capital city. Besides, several teams have been provided to Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha (CESU) to assist in restoring power supply.
This apart, for the first time ever, the Fire Department is also supplying drinking water to the residents of the city including the slum dwellers to tackle water crisis caused due by cyclone Fani. The department has engaged its own 18000-litre water tankers for the purpose. Moreover, the Fire Department has also restored lighting in the streets and important public places of the city like Baramunda bus terminal.
In Puri too, around 250 firemen led by CFO-rank officers are working tirelessly to remove the uprooted trees and electrical poles. Besides, they are providing water and tower lights in the streets including Badadanda (the Grand Road) and the district headquarters hospital (DHH).
Likewise, different teams of the fire officials are engaged in Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Khurda, Kendrapara and other cyclone-affected areas to restore normalcy.