Bhubaneswar: Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar to review Odisha’s preparedness for the upcoming cyclone season, with officials stressing the need for constant vigilance despite no immediate cyclone threat along the state coast.
The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Director General of Fire Services Sudhanshu Sarangi, senior officials of the Special Relief Commissioner’s office, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and various state departments.
Addressing the meeting, Garg said Odisha has earned a strong reputation in disaster preparedness and management over the years and asked all departments to remain fully prepared without any complacency. She stressed the importance of timely action, strict adherence to guidelines, and rapid information dissemination during emergencies.
Kumar Singh directed departments to regularly review preparedness measures with field-level officials and strictly follow forecasts and advisories issued by the India Meteorological Department.
Welcoming the participants, Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director of OSDMA Rajesh Prabhakar Patil said Odisha remains highly vulnerable to cyclones due to its geographical location along the Bay of Bengal coast.
He noted that climate change has increased the frequency and unpredictability of cyclonic events and reiterated the state government’s commitment towards achieving “zero casualties” through preparedness, coordination, and timely dissemination of early warnings.
IMD Bhubaneswar Director Manorama Mohanty informed the meeting that there is currently no possibility of cyclone formation along the Odisha coast. However, she advised the state government to maintain full preparedness during the cyclone season.
Officials from different departments reviewed their preparedness measures related to disaster response and emergency management. The Additional Director General (Law and Order) informed that 30 ODRAF teams have been kept ready for immediate deployment for rescue and relief operations.
Departments including Water Resources, Health and Family Welfare, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Energy, Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare, Works, Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water, Rural Development, and Housing and Urban Development reviewed arrangements related to reservoir management, restoration of roads and electricity services, safe drinking water supply, emergency medicines, cattle feed, and stockpiling of essential commodities.
The government also directed departments to ensure the readiness of cyclone and flood shelters, activate control rooms, and strictly follow Standard Operating Procedures. Special emphasis was laid on the timely dissemination of cyclone warning information among fishermen and strengthening inter-departmental coordination for effective disaster management.
