Bhubaneswar, Sept 24 [UDN}:As Odisha braces for heavy rainfall and the possibility of weather-related emergencies, 33 teams of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) have been deployed across six districts to undertake rescue and relief operations, if required.
Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the State Government has strengthened preparedness measures in vulnerable areas in view of the prevailing weather conditions. An additional nine ODRAF teams have been kept on standby at Chhatrapur and will be dispatched to any location if an emergency situation arises.
The Minister said NDRF teams and Fire Services personnel have also been deployed at various vulnerable and sensitive locations to respond quickly to any emergency.
Authorities have been directed to put up barricades at locations vulnerable to landslides and prevent people from entering potentially dangerous areas. Rayagada and Koraput districts are among the areas that could be affected by the adverse weather conditions.
As a precautionary measure, more than 150 people in Gajapati district have already been shifted to safer locations.
The State Government has also cancelled the leave of administrative officials in view of the heavy rainfall forecast. Officials have been instructed to remain alert and keep their mobile phones switched on so that they can be contacted immediately in case of an emergency.
Minister Suresh Pujari said tonight will be particularly important from the disaster-management point of view, and authorities are maintaining close coordination to deal with any emerging situation.
He further said that the situation is expected to improve after September 25, and appealed to the public not to panic. The administration, he assured, is taking all necessary precautionary measures to protect people and respond promptly to any emergency.
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