Odisha gears up to tackle possible flood during monsoon

Bhubaneswar: Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Bishnupada Sethi has reviewed the arrangements in all districts to handle possible flood during monsoon in Odisha.

He called a meeting of Additional District Magistrates (ADMs) and District Emergency Officers (DEOs) of all 30 districts to review status of pre-flood arrangements in the district-level to tackle the possible flood situation during South-West Monsoon-2018.

The ADMs and DEOs intimated that the flood-prone inaccessible areas, which are likely to be cut off during floods, have been identified for stocking of Public Distribution System (PDS) commodities for the next 2-3 months in advance, so that these are available in these villages during the entire rainy season.

It was instructed that the collectors would ensure this before onset of monsoon and furnish information regarding the quantity of food grains stored at different points.

The districts will also take steps to make pre-contract with the traders following due procedure for supply of dry foods, if required, in the event of any calamity.

There are 301 power boats of the State Port Engineering Organisation under the SRC available in the districts in charge of Tahasildars, BDOs and other officers under the control of the respective Collectors.

Test-run of these boats is going on in different districts. The State Port Engineer was directed to complete the test-run of the boats by second week of June.

As many as 108 vulnerable points have been identified at different river and saline embankments out of which 3 have been identified as critical vulnerable points. It has been decided to store required flood-fighting materials at these critical vulnerable points and arrange patrolling during flood.

It has been assessed that 33.35 lakh gunny bags, 67627 cum of sand, 19430 nos. of bullahs, 15125 sqm bamboo mat and 10320 nos. of bamboos would be required to be stored by June 1 at strategic locations.

It was stressed on proper coordination in the matter of deployment of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Fire Services.

For any local search and rescue requirement, the Fire Services should be first contacted and depending on size/ intensity of disaster, if there is further requirement, ODRAF and NDRF can be requisitioned.

All the districts shall ensure that Toll Free No.1077 is working and a separate telephone has been provided for the said number.

The districts were advised to make prior arrangement for supply of safe drinking water during and in the immediate aftermath of flood, in coordination with RWSS & PH (Urban) Organisation.

The districts were also advised to identify required number of flood shelters in the vulnerable areas for accommodation of people in case of flood.

Arrangements of water, food and lighting must be made for the people taking shelter. Additional sanitation arrangement may also be required to be made, where necessary.