Bhubaneswar, 31 October (H.S.): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday reviewed the situation arising from landslides following Cyclone ‘Arnab’, the assessment of cyclone-related damage and preparedness for a possible subsequent cyclone at a meeting held at the Special Relief Commissioner’s (SRC) office.

The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to expedite rescue operations in landslide-affected areas, intensify the search for missing persons and accord the highest priority to saving lives.

Emphasising that public safety and protection of human lives remain the government’s foremost priorities, Majhi instructed officials to ensure that rescue operations progress rapidly in every affected area. He also stressed the need to deploy advanced technology and modern equipment to locate people who may be trapped beneath soil and debris.

The Chief Minister further directed all departments to remain fully alert, ensure an accurate assessment of the damage caused by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ and make comprehensive preparations to deal with any possible fresh cyclone.

Navy’s advanced life detection unit for G. Udayagiri

To strengthen the rescue operation at the G. Udayagiri landslide site, arrangements have been made to airlift the Indian Navy’s advanced ‘Seismic Life Detection Unit’ to the location by helicopter.

The specialised equipment uses advanced sensors and scanning technology to detect biological signals of people trapped beneath soil, sludge or debris. Its deployment is expected to strengthen the search operation at the landslide site.

Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), Fire Services and Special Operations Group (SOG), along with the Indian Navy, are jointly conducting rescue operations in difficult-to-access areas.

Railways to provide chain pulley system

During the review meeting, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari spoke to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and sought the active assistance of the Railways in rescue operations. The Union Railway Ministry has assured all necessary support.

The process has been initiated to use a chain pulley system, with the assistance of the Railways, to facilitate the safe evacuation of people from landslide-affected areas. The East Coast Railway has taken steps to dispatch the equipment to the affected site at the earliest.

Accurate information to media, misleading reports to be checked

Emphasising the role of the media during disasters, the Chief Minister directed officials to provide the media with timely, accurate and authentic information.

He also asked the administration to thoroughly verify information and reports received from the media and other sources and take prompt action wherever necessary. This, he said, would help prevent the spread of misleading reports, ensure that the public receives correct information and make relief and rescue operations more effective.

Restoration of essential services to be expedited

The Chief Minister directed officials to restore electricity, road connectivity and other essential services in the areas affected by Cyclone ‘Arnab’ on a war footing. The Energy Department has been asked to accord the highest priority to the restoration work so that normal services can be resumed at the earliest.

Advance preparedness for possible cyclone

Reviewing preparations for a possible fresh cyclone, Majhi directed officials to keep cyclone shelters ready and ensure the timely evacuation of people from vulnerable areas.

He also stressed the need to maintain adequate stocks of dry food, cooked food wherever required, safe drinking water and medicines. Strong coordination among various departments was identified as essential for an effective response to any potential disaster.

The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department Dr Aravind Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Kumar Dev, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, Regional Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar, Director Manorama Mohanty, Special Relief Commissioner Rajesh Prabhakar Patil, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S.N., Rural Water Supply and Drinking Water Department Director Vineet Bhardwaj, Information and Public Relations Department Director Sanjay Biswal and other senior officials of the concerned departments.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda