Bhubaneswar, July 5 (Representative) Odisha government will initiate steps to create a Dedicated Force and raise the number of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) from existing 20 units to 30 units to handle natural disasters, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said. Majhi who chaired the state Natural Disaster Committee meeting on Thursday said, ODRAF is the first state level Disaster Response Force in the country which is considered as the best force at the all India level.He said the ODRAF has brought laurels for the state in effectively handling natural disasters both in the state and outside the state. The Chief Minister said the Home Department will be asked to raise the ODRAF strength from 20 units to 30 units and create a Dedicated Force to meet any eventualities during the natural calamities. Majhi said keeping the Bahanaga train tragedy in view, steps will be taken to create five Regional Fire Service Hubs in the state to handle such types of accidental calamities. He said the state government will emphasize zero casualties while managing the natural disasters and calamities.
The Chief Minister said the south west monsoon had already set in and the state is expecting heavy rains, floods and cyclones till October next. Accordingly, a proper review meeting should be held and the administration has to be on alert to face the situation and initiate steps in advance for relief and rescue operation, drinking water problems and health care facilities. The ODRAF and the Fire Service Units, he said should remain alert and 24 X7 control room should operate in various departments at the block and district level. The Chief Minister said efficiency of the Fire Services has been strengthened with Rs.394 crores from the State Disaster Response Fund and another Rs 200 crore would be arranged for the purpose. Majhi also directed the Health Department to keep sufficient anti venom injection at the health centres keeping in view the possibilities of snake bite cases during the rainy season.The review meeting discussed the measures to control artificial flooding during torrential rainfall in urban areas in the state.
The Chief Minister also directed the concerned departments to undertake necessary repair of weak embankments and clean the drains in the municipalities.He said long term measures will be taken to manage artificial flooding in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and other cities on a long term basis with the technical assistance of the IIT, Delhi. The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), Majhi said, would prepare a Rs.200 crore proposal for flood management in the city. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari conducted the meeting attended by MPs MLAs and other senior officials. Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu briefed the meeting about the preparedness to deal with the possible flood situation. The review meeting discussed the measures to control artificial flooding during torrential rainfall in urban areas in the state.