Odisha Prepares for Cyclone Dana: High-Level Meeting Ensures Readiness of Essential Services

Bhubaneswar: A high-level meeting, chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja on Tuesday, reviewed Odisha’s preparedness for the impending Cyclone Dana, focusing on ensuring the continuity of essential services such as electricity, drinking water supply, and healthcare in the event of disruptions caused by the storm.

Special attention was given to the operational readiness of DG/generator sets in hospitals and other critical infrastructure to ensure services remain functional during potential power outages. Departments including Energy, Panchayati Raj, and Drinking Water were instructed to coordinate and ensure a timely supply of water, particularly through tankers, if necessary.

Officials emphasized preemptive actions, including filling water tanks to full capacity in rural and urban areas by October 23. The mechanical readiness of generator sets was also prioritized, with a directive to conduct trial runs and ensure an adequate diesel supply to maintain continuous operation during the cyclone.

In addition to cyclone preparedness, the Chief Secretary reviewed the state’s progress on various governmental programs and schemes. Notably, Odisha’s revenue collection saw a 13.73% increase as of September 2024 compared to the previous year.

Chief Secretary Ahuja urged all departments to maximize the utilization of approved budgets to ensure the smooth execution of government schemes, particularly as the state prepares for potential natural disasters.

Government officials also presented updates on departmental activities up to September, with an emphasis on improving fund utilization efficiency. Departments were encouraged to continue prioritizing public welfare and the successful implementation of state initiatives in the face of Cyclone Dana.

The public has been advised to store adequate water and use it judiciously during and after the cyclone until services are fully restored.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Satyabrata Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department; Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, Special Relief Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue Department; Surendra Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration and Public Grievances Department; and G. Mathivathanan, Additional Chief Secretary and Director General of Gopabandhu Academy of Administration, among others.