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Bhubaneswar, Oct 27 (IANS) The Odisha government on Monday put its entire administrative machinery on high alert to deal with the possible impact of Cyclone Montha, which is likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada in neighboring Andhra Pradesh on October 28 evening or night.
Senior officials from key departments including Revenue and Disaster Management (R&DM), Agriculture, Health and Energy reviewed the preparedness at the ground level. The R&DM department is holding regular coordination meetings with District Collectors, NDRF and ODRAF units to achieve the “zero casualties” target.
After a high-level review, R&DM Minister Suresh Pujari said 140 teams of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and fire services have been deployed in eight high-risk districts – Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi and Nabarangapur. He said the state has also coordinated with the Indian Coast Guard to ensure that trawlers and fishing boats return to the coast.
Senior officials have been appointed to each “red zone” district to monitor cyclone management. Nearly 3,000 people have been evacuated to 1,445 cyclone shelters in southern Odisha, and the state is planning to shift another 32,528 people to safer places as a precaution. Both dry and cooked food is being arranged at the shelter sites.
Pujari said 1,496 pregnant women have already been shifted to nearby primary health centers (PHCs) and community health centers (CHCs), while evacuation of another 760 women is underway.
Meanwhile, the agriculture department has issued an advisory urging farmers to harvest crops that have reached at least 85 per cent maturity and store them safely. Farmers have been asked to cover harvested produce with polythene sheets, ensure prompt drainage of storm water from fields and take steps to prevent pest attacks after the cyclone. Agriculture Principal Secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhi has directed that no agriculture officer will be allowed leave till October 31 and crop loss assessment should be started immediately after the water recedes.
The Health and Family Welfare Department has also said that it is fully prepared to deal with any emergency. As of Monday evening, 4,511 pregnant women have been identified for special monitoring, including 3,823 in eight high-risk districts.
–IANS
gyan/pgh