Bhubaneswar, Nov 3 (UDN): In a major administrative push to accelerate post-cyclone relief and rehabilitation, the Odisha Government has deployed four IAS officers to supervise damage assessment, relief distribution and restoration of essential services in cyclone-affected districts.
File Photo
Announcing the decision on Tuesday, Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari said the officers had been empowered with the responsibilities of Additional Special Relief Commissioner (SRC). They will remain stationed in their respective districts until all repair and restoration activities are completed.
Of the four officers, two have been assigned to Ganjam, while Gajapati and Kandhamal will each have one officer.
The officers deployed are Dr Rina Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer of the District Mineral Foundation, Keonjhar, for Gajapati; Ajit Kumar, Additional District Magistrate, Rairangpur, and Tejaswini Behera, Sub-Collector (Sadar), Sundargarh, for Ganjam; and Shiv Malviya, Sub-Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Balasore, for Kandhamal.
Three-Point Mandate for Deployed Officers
According to Minister Pujari, the officers will focus on three priority areas: conducting a comprehensive assessment of cyclone-related damage, ensuring proper implementation of the relief package announced by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, and expediting repairs to damaged roads, electricity networks and water supply systems.
The government has also directed the district administrations to ensure that eligible affected families receive the announced assistance without unnecessary delays.
Disaster Response Machinery Put on High Alert
Meanwhile, the State Government has intensified its preparedness in view of the approaching Cyclone Murasu.
A total of 54 Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) teams, nine National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and more than 100 fire service teams have been deployed at vulnerable locations across the State.
The deployment of ODRAF teams includes 32 in Ganjam, nine in Gajapati, four in Kandhamal, three each in Malkangiri, Koraput and Rayagada.
The teams have been strategically positioned to ensure swift emergency response wherever required. Senior officials of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, who were earlier assigned to vulnerable areas, are also assisting the respective district administrations.
As an additional precautionary measure, schools and colleges have been ordered to remain closed until November 3, the minister said.
Restoration Continues After Cyclone Arnab
Referring to the damage caused by Cyclone Arnab, Pujari said several houses and agricultural fields had been affected. The State Government has announced a relief package for affected people, while restoration work is underway to repair damaged roads and restore electricity and drinking water supplies.
He said the administration was simultaneously addressing the aftermath of Cyclone Arnab and preparing for the possible impact of Cyclone Murasu.
The government, he added, is committed to ensuring that relief reaches every eligible beneficiary and that essential infrastructure is restored at the earliest.
With additional administrative supervision and emergency response teams positioned across vulnerable districts, the State Government is stepping up efforts to safeguard lives, minimise disruption and accelerate recovery in the affected regions.
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