H&UD minister reviews cyclone preparedness

Bhubaneswar, May 23: Housing and Urban Development (H&UD) minister, Pratap Jena today reviewed the preparedness in view of cyclone Yaas and directed to strictly follow the SOP and instructions in this regards. The Urban local bodies and PR institutions have been asked to come up with alternative shelters and evacuation plan along with provision of adequate food stuff. The minister directed Municipal Commissioners and Executive Officers to remain alert to mitigate the effects of this tropical cyclone and associated heavy rain induced floods. Instructions were issued to make arrangement for alternate power supply and drinking water supply, special care for old, infirm, physically and mentally challenged pregnant, lactating mothers, children and infants in the event of cyclone in all the ULBs especially in 56 ULBs including CMC and BMC of 12 costal districts. He also directed that all vulnerable households are to be identified and motivated for evacuation to safe shelters. Concerned authorities were directed to pre-position machineries and equipment such as tree cutter along with skilled staff in the areas likely to be affected ULBs and keep high capacity diesel pump sets in state of readiness for draining out water from low lying areas. Uninterrupted water supply is needed to be ensured in the ULBs and more number of water tankers under the disposal of the ULBs prepositioned. Power generator sets are needed to be kept ready for street lighting and water supply during power failures and all storage reservoirs are to be kept full by continuous pumping operation to ensure availability of adequate stock for 24 hours immediately after cyclone. This being COVID pandemic period, COVID protocols and COVID appropriate behaviours must be practiced during IEC, evacuation, shelters and post cyclone returns advised Jena .