As the months of October and November are known as the "cyclone period" in the state of Odisha, the state government has initiated preparations for potential calamities.
During a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary P.K. Jena, district collectors, and department secretaries were directed to maintain a state of alertness for a duration of 45 days beginning on October 10.
The director of the Bhubaneswar Regional Meteorological Centre, H.R. Biswas, informed the state government during the meeting that the southwest monsoon is expected to withdraw by October 10. Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal tend to form under favorable weather conditions within 45 days following the departure of the monsoon in the state.
Considering this, the state needs to maintain vigilance for 45 days starting from October 10, as historical data indicates that most cyclones in the region have formed during this period. Odisha has experienced 10 major cyclones since 1999, with October being the primary cyclone season for the state. Notably, on October 29, 1999, a super cyclone resulted in the loss of approximately 10,000 lives in the coastal districts of Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara. The state was also affected by Cyclone Phailin on October 11, 2013, and other cyclones have occurred in October and November in recent years.
The meeting, which took place on Thursday, was attended by key officials, including the development commissioner, special relief commissioner, department heads, and the director of the Regional Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar, among others.
Considering the history of cyclones in the state, Chief Secretary P.K. Jena emphasized the importance of cooperation and coordination among departments and directed the collectors of vulnerable districts to have all preparations in place by October 10. He urged departments to ensure that their officials and equipment are ready, and if necessary, to procure the latest rescue and relief equipment for use during calamities.
Jena also stressed the need to verify the functionality of all tube wells in rural and urban areas and to compile lists of pregnant women, elderly individuals, and persons with disabilities to facilitate their identification and rescue during emergencies.
The state government additionally emphasized the importance of raising awareness among residents in coastal districts and implementing measures to protect saline embankments in cyclone-prone areas. Jena instructed officials to stockpile medicines and maintain preparedness with ambulances and medical personnel.
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