Montha in R’gada:Disaster preparedness by district administration |
Dr. Badal Tah, Odishabarta
Rayagada, October 27: Rayagada district is coming under Red Zone as far as cyclone Montha is concerned. After a virtual meet on last Sunday, where all BDOs, Tehsildars from eleven blocks participated, being facilitated by District Collector Asutosh Kulkarni, a detailed disaster management plan has been prepared. Senior officers like ADM(Revenue), ADM(Gen), CDO-cum-EO, Sub-Collector-Gunupur, Sub-Collector, Rayagada are assigned as nodal officers of all the blocks and urban level bodies of Rayagada. Police, fire and other line department heads like DSWO, DWSM, CSO, Rural Works Division, etc have been instructed to remain alert with equipment’s and necessary lifesaving items. Rayagada District is under orange Warning on 27.10.2025 and Red Warning on 28.10.2025 and 29.10.205 due to a probable deep depression/cyclonic situation over the Bay of Bengal.
Subsequently, the Collector, Rayagada reviewed the preparedness status of each line department. All departments presented their readiness plans. After the review, the Collector issued the following instructions to ensure zero casualty and minimum damage in the district.
Rural Works Division, Rayagada & Gunupur; R&B Division-I & II; and NH Sunabeda Division were instructed to keep JCBs, excavators, Poclain machines, etc., in full readiness to clear roads and vulnerable areas in case of landslides or blockages. Restoration must be done immediately if any disruption occurs. The Executive Engineer, TPSODL, was instructed ensure restoration of power supply within one hour of any outage caused by heavy rainfall, flood, or cyclone. The Civil Supplies Officer (CSO) was told to maintain adequate stock of essential relief food materials to meet any emergency situation.
Executive Officers of all Urban Local Bodies (ULBS) will keep strict vigil on water logging in low-lying areas and ensure that logged water is immediately pumped out or cleared. Tahasildars shall provide polythene sheets to households whose houses are collapsed or damaged as part of emergent relief measures. They shall also monitor cotton/paddy crop damage, and if any damage is reported, field assessment reports shall be prepared and submitted promptly.
In case of landslides or water ingress in ‘Basti’ areas, affected families shall be shifted to temporary shelters (such as schools). This shall be ensured by the Block Development Officers/Executive Officers, in coordination with Tahasildars and local Police. The CDM & PHO, Rayagada shall keep diesel generators ready to meet any power failure in health facilities. All ambulances should be in readiness, and anti-snake venom, first aid kits, and essential medicines shall be stocked at flood shelters and health centers.
Both Sub-Collectors shall monitor, visit regularty and supervise the preparedness and response measures within their respective jurisdictions. All departmental emergency control rooms shall function 24×7 until the situation normalizes. All district-level officers must remain at their headquarters during the entire period of the cyclone warning. RWS&S and PHED officials shall ensure that all drinking water sources and tanks are filled and kept ready for supply during the emergency. The DSWO Rayagada to enumerate expectant mothers and also to ensure their safe shifting to hospitals or Maa Gruhas.
Collector directed all stakeholders to remain on high alert and respond swiftly and decisively to any arising situation. He emphasized that zero casualty must be ensured through timely evacuation, effective inter-departmental coordination and prompt relief operations. Immediate support in the form of cooked food, drinking water, dry rations, health services, and sanitation must be extended to all affected populations.
As per information from the district administration, 164 relief shelters have been kept ready with manpower and materials. Though no one is evacuated till writing of this report, 6314 persons are expected to be evacuated, mostly from habitations near Nagavali, Jhanjabati & Vamsadhara rivers. Expected evacuees also include inhabitants from Niyamagiri hills range and other hillocks having potential to be affected by landslides. In the context of high risk factors, Rayagada tops the list followed by Bissam Cuttack.
Hundred numbers of pregnant women have been shifted to Maa Gruha or maternity waiting homes and other health institutions. Fifty two pregnant women are mapped to be rehabilitated yet in the nearby health institutions.