Odisha Reviews Cyclone Preparedness, Departments Asked to Remain on Alert

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government on Tuesday reviewed its cyclone preparedness measures at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, with officials directed to remain fully prepared for any possible weather-related emergency during the cyclone season.

The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary D. K. Singh, Director General of Fire Services S. Sarangi, Special Relief Commissioner and OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, senior officials of the India Meteorological Department, ODRAF and various state departments.

Opening the meeting, Rajesh Prabhakar Patil highlighted Odisha’s vulnerability to cyclones due to its long coastline along the Bay of Bengal and stressed the importance of preparedness, coordination and early warning systems in achieving the state’s “Zero Casualty” mission.

Director of the IMD Bhubaneswar Centre Manorama Mohanty informed the meeting that there is currently no possibility of a cyclone affecting the Odisha coast, but advised authorities to maintain preparedness at all levels.

Officials informed that 30 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force are ready for immediate deployment for rescue and relief operations if required.

Departments including Water Resources, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj, Rural Development and Housing & Urban Development reviewed preparedness related to reservoir management, road restoration, power supply, drinking water, medicine stocks, cattle feed and emergency response arrangements.

All departments were directed to ensure operational readiness of cyclone and flood shelters, activate control rooms and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs). Special focus was laid on dissemination of warnings to fishermen and strengthening inter-departmental coordination during emergencies.

Development Commissioner D.K. Singh instructed departments to coordinate closely with field officers and strictly monitor IMD forecasts.

Concluding the meeting, Chief Secretary Anu Garg urged all departments to avoid complacency and maintain Odisha’s strong reputation in disaster preparedness through timely action, strict protocol adherence and efficient information dissemination during emergencies.